Diversity Committee Report
Cruzita “Crusie” Lucero,
Chair
The Diversity Committee did a great job this past year. Most of the
work of the committee was to plan sessions and activities for the
annual conference. The objectives that were assigned for the year
were:
- Review the definition of “diversity” to make it more
global; to have a broader perspective that will promote awareness
among the membership and outside audiences on issues relevant to our
culturally diverse financial aid administrators and student populations.
- Look at different ways to lead the membership in understanding
that diversity is not only a racial issue but encompasses a myriad
of other possibilities.
- Seek avenues for the association to examine old ideas but be open
to new ideas and the definition of diversity in today’s world.
The association must be willing to promote equal benefits and representation
of all groups of people from all types of schools and provide accessibility
for the involvement of all our members.
- Consider diversity from the standpoint of not only dealing with
our peers but also in learning how to deal with the diversity of the
student bodies that we assist as financial aid administrators.
- Work as an ad-hoc member of the conference committee to ensure
that there is a valance in the type of sessions selected that deal
with the issues of diversity. Ensure that diversity is considered
when recommending /developing sessions but that this topic does not
dominate the agenda.
The Diversity Committee’s main goal was not to have all of
our sessions be about racial issues but to encompass other diversities.
The speakers and sessions that were selected for the annual conference
were well received. Stephen Bargatze, Student Services Program from
Hermitage, TN, and the diversity general session speaker had an entertaining
presentation that was both funny and sad. Zeb Davenport’s presentation
at The Pathways to Leadership Luncheon was very informative and meaningful.
Both the general session and the luncheon were well attended.
-
General session speaker was entertaining and relayed
an important message about how perceptions can get misconstrued.
-
The committee planned a leadership luncheon to
encourage all members to become more active in our association.
-
The committee contacted presenters and was able
to promote seven interest sessions for the conference. We encouraged
presenters not to use the word “Diversity” in their
titles to encourage more attendance in the sessions.
Recommendations and suggestions for next year’s committee:
-
Increase the budget to cover speakers and any other
activities planned by the committee.
-
Work with Vendor/Sponsor Chair to solicit sponsorship
for any planned activities.
-
Plan fewer diversity sessions for the conference.
Many members are not attending any sessions that they feel are about
diversity.
-
Diversity is here to stay but many members seem
to think that our association goes overboard on planning activities
that cover some form of diversity. Explore ways to deliver diversity
information and activities that are more palatable to our members!
-
Have fewer interest sessions for the conference.
The sessions should never be called “Diversity” Sessions.
-
The Diversity General session should not be advertised
as such—another name for the session would be much better.
Diversity Committee Chair and Members 2005-2006
| AL |
Dee Talley, University of Alabama,
Birmingham – Public 4-year |
| FL |
Anh Do, St. Thomas University – Private
4-year |
| GA |
Tess Underwood, NellieMae – Lender |
| KY |
Anthony Bowles, AmSouth – Lender |
| MS |
Marilyn James, Mississippi State University,
Meridian – Public 4-year |
| NC |
Cynthia Grant, University of NC, Wilmington
– Public 4-year |
| SC |
Jeff Dennis, Southern Wesleyan University –
Private 4-year |
| TN |
Joy Goldberg, Roane State Community College
– Public 2-year |
| VA |
Elizabeth “Liza” Bruce, Educational
Credit Mgmt. Corp. – Lender |
| Chair |
Cruzita “Crusie” Lucero, Northeast
State Tech Community College |
|
JUNE
2006
