Almost 40 women from higher education institutions across the country – including approximately 10 faculty members and students from UT’s campuses in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Martin – will attend a writing retreat April 26-29 at UT Knoxville. The retreat is being hosted by UT’s Diversity Advisory Council, a statewide group tasked with making recommendations for improving diversity efforts across the system.
Attendees will receive assistance with their writing endeavors – including dissertations, manuscripts, reports or book chapters – through participation in writing circles of three to five participants based on research topics.
The retreat will be led by the Sisters of the Academy Institute, a national professional society dedicated to creating an educational network among African American women in higher education.
“Support systems and scholarly communities are critical components to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff and students,” said UT Vice President for Equity and Diversity and Diversity Advisory Council Chair Theotis Robinson, Jr. “This retreat was identified as a best practice from other universities, and we believe it will have the same positive effects for African American women working and learning on our campuses.”
UT participants were selected by campus and college administrators and various activities are planned to further engage members of the UT community during the retreat.
To learn more about the retreat, visit: www.sistersoftheacademy.org/writing-retreat/.
To learn more about UT’s statewide Diversity Advisory Council, visit: http://www.tennessee.edu/system/equity/council/index.html.