Goals & Strategic Priorities

DEI OVERARCHING GOALS

Our goal is that SSW will be:

  1. Inclusive where all community members feel a sense of belonging and where SSW is actively inviting actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people.
  2. Diverse where we represent and appreciate the range of differences in our community
  3. Equitable where we seek to ensure fair treatment, equality of opportunity, and fairness in access to information and resources for all.
  4. Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive seeking to advance justice by actively identifying racist and oppressive behaviors, actions, policies, practices, and procedures and replace them with more inclusive and equitable ones. The goals and aspirations for the School of Social Work is that the school will be:

In order to achieve the above goals, the following strategic priorities have been identified for the next 12-18 months. These are in alignment with the SSW’s task force recommendations and external review. Focusing on these priorities and implementing actions will be a collaborative effort with key groups and units across the SSW.

Strategic Domain 1: Campus Climate and Belonging
  • Create a new DEI office to be catalytic, to assist other offices and groups within and outside OF SSW
  • Create affinity spaces for students, faculty, staff and alumni
  • Increase recognition opportunities for faculty, staff and students
  • Increase collaboration and engagement with the Shady Grove campus
  • Increase collaboration and engagement with alumni and community members
Strategic Domain 2: Accountability and Transparency
  • Implement a system(s) for collecting and sharing data around climate and culture
  • Administer a climate survey. Analyze and share data
  • Increase the Visibility, Transparency and Communication of DEI Efforts and Activities via the SSW website
Strategic Domain 3: Equity and Access
  • Work collaboratively to create a DEI framework for the recruitment, hiring and selection process
  • Equity Training for search committees and those involved in the search and selection process
  • Expand efforts to create inclusive spaces, rooms and buildings
  • Support and expand equitable practices in field education
Strategic Domain 4: Learning and professional development

Provide school wide training on: (1) Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression (2) Restorative Practices (3) Awareness of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation and (4) Immigration

  • Increase field placement opportunities that enhance student’s learning and understanding around DEI
  • Support the roll out of the History of Structural Oppression Course
  • Support the creation of additional courses that explicitly address anti-racism and anti-oppression
  • Work collaboratively to create ways to assess for equity and inclusion in our curricula including pedagogy and evaluations

Ready to be a Changemaker?