DEI Strategic Planning Process

Led by Vice Provost Carol E. Henderson with support from seven Strategic Planning Communities, the Institutional DEI Strategic Planning Communities’ Report to the President has been completed and shared with President Fenves and Provost Bellamkonda.

Background

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are important values to the Emory community. How we practice these values and interweave them into the very fabric and infrastructure of the Emory enterprise will take vision, community participation, and guidance, and a resolute commitment to actualize this work.

This endeavor has taken a number of iterations at Emory, including the Advisory Council on Community and Diversity, Emory’s Commission on Racial and Social Justice, the Transforming Community Project, and the Committee on Class and Labor.

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been a stalwart champion of this work as it is committed to promoting a fair, equitable, and accessible campus environment for the university community through collaboration with its university partners.

In August 2019, Carol E. Henderson became the vice provost for diversity and inclusion, chief diversity officer, and adviser to the president. As Emory’s inaugural chief diversity officer, Henderson has built upon the work already being done, helping Emory to realize its vision for DEI in partnership with campus leaders, key stakeholders, and organizational units.

Part of realizing this vision is to establish common-ground principles and values that guide this work. Institutional definitions for DEI and equity-mindedness were adopted by campus leadership in November 2020, as was an institutional statement for diversity. These concepts, as well Emory’s mission and motto, and a number of other resources, frame the DEI strategic planning process.

In beginning this process, Henderson worked with the Office of the Provost, engaging the provost’s leadership team and Council of Deans, which resulted in the recommendation to begin the process by utilizing existing governance structures.

In January 2021, Henderson shared the charge document with seven Strategic Planning Communities (SPCs).

Download the Complete Charge Document

Strategic Planning Communities

• Tara Bartelt, project manager, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
• Christine Goode, administrative assistant, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion