Georgetown University in May announced the creation of the Office of Student Equity and Inclusion (OSEI) to increase collaboration and resource sharing for first-generation students and students of color, reports The Hoya. This umbrella office within the Provost’s Office will be led by Adanna J. Johnson in her newly-created role as associate vice president for student equity and inclusion.
Building a ‘whole institution’ approach
In an email to the university, Provost Robert M. Groves called the OSEI part of a “whole institution” approach several years in the making, “building towards a more integrative structure for our Main Campus support and engagement programs, tying together access, equity, student success, and diversity programming and services.” He said the OSEI will engage community members to develop short- and long-term vision.
OSEI will house the Georgetown Scholars Program, Community Scholars Program, and Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, allowing them to share resources, expand programming, and increase student awareness of the support systems available to them.
“Equity is not a one person or one unit responsibility,” wrote Andria Wisler, executive director for the Center of Social Justice, and Jason Low, assistant director of GSP, in an email to The Hoya. “As an institution committed to Jesuit higher education, each member of our community must engage issues of inclusion, access, and affordability across all facets of University life.”
‘A deep level of commitment’
Johnson, who previously served as senior associate dean of students and director of diversity, equity and student success, says the OSEI is a continuation of Georgetown’s work for accessible and affordable education.
“From the moment I stepped onto campus, I noticed a deep level of commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at Georgetown—a level that I had not seen at other traditionally White institutions,” Johnson wrote.
Johnson told The Hoya in an email that stronger cross-department alignment will give students greater opportunities to thrive. “The hope is that minority students, first generation students, and others will have a more enriching college experience,” she said.