UT IDE Strategic Alliance Members
Chief Inclusion Strategy Officer
UT System Administration
“Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement are necessary components of success for our faculty, students, and staff. Understanding that diversity enriches the lives and the educational experiences of our campus communities, our work must lead efforts to ensure that an inclusive environment is achieved for all so that opportunities for engagement are abundant and seamless.”
Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
UT Health and Science Center
“IDE at UT means to me, that we can all show up as our authentic selves and fully contribute to the mission of our institution. Further, we can all be invited to participate (in coveted opportunities), developed to our full potential, and appropriately rewarded for our contributions.”
Assoc. Vice Chancellor Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity, UTHSC
UT Health and Science Center
“To me IDE means inclusion is a feeling of being respected and valued based on the presence of equitable systems and diversity is a collective mixture where there is an understanding and acceptance of differences and similarities in which the former concept (i.e., inclusion) is paramount for sustained success whereas engagement confirms a reciprocation of trust accessible across UT.”
Human Resources Officer
UT Extension
“As a leader, I see my role in IDE as taking apparent and consistent action to ensure that everyone associated with UT feels welcome and safe while also being presented with regular opportunities to explore how their individual beliefs, values and experiences compare with vastly different points of view. Then, challenging ourselves and others to find ways to contribute to an environment, not necessarily of agreement, but of acceptance, respect, and appreciation.”
Director for Human Resources and Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Officer
UT Space Institute
“Helping to assure that UT is inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of all. A focus on education, current demographics, retention/turnover, and continuous training are the keys to achieving success!”
Students Services Specialist
UT Martin
“Engage students, staff, and faculty in ways that support the inclusion of all people. Teach everyone that embracing diversity will result in personal, as well as professional, growth.”
Executive Director for Diversity and Engagement
UT Knoxville
“To me, diversity represents the variations of identities we hold, while inclusion involves examining and changing our practices where needed so that everyone can thrive. The latter involves engagement, which is what happens when diverse populations are able to collaboratively define and implement inclusive practices and policies.”
Assistant Vice Provost for Accreditation and SACSCOC Liaison
UT Knoxville
“A diverse environment, where diversity of all kinds is pursued, not just valued, will help us (administration, faculty, staff, and students) learn and work better together. Inclusion reflects our belief that various perspectives add value to our community…that discussions and decision-making are better when people with different perspectives are included, not just considered.”
MTAS Legal Consultant
UT Institute for Public Service
“To me, meaningful inclusion, diversity, and engagement at UT translates into campuses and institutes where students and employees, contractors and visitors, are able to interact with those with whom they have shared experiences, are exposed to those with whom thy have very little in common, and understand that because difference is embraced, everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Training Specialist UT Law Enforcement Innovation Center
UT Institute for Public Service
“As a UT System employee, IDE means the opportunity to foster a sense of belonging by allowing customers, employees, and students to see themselves represented in all areas of the University of Tennessee. It is an opportunity to encourage cultural humility and self-reflection and to promote life-long learning in Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement.”
Career Planning and Development, Coordinator II /Career Counselor
UT Martin
“Empowering people by appreciating and certifying that their differences have value. The ability to understand beyond the measurement of tolerance for I believe tolerance does not allow an avenue for true connections to be made.”
Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement
UT Chattanooga
“Diversity is the presence of differences. Engagement is achieved when we recognize and respect those differences to create opportunities that allow us to feel better connected to and a sense of belonging on our campuses. Honoring and celebrating diversity is the only way we strengthen our campus communities and build bridges to inclusive excellence.”
Diversity and Inclusion Officer
UT Martin
“IDE–The intentional inclusion of all people, their identities, thoughts and beliefs with an open and respectful appreciation of differences. These differences make us a stronger UT community.”
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
UT Martin
“Inclusion, diversity, and engagement mean intentional efforts to represent a variety of perspectives, experiences, ideas, and talents. The inclusion gives a voice and opportunity for people often marginalized to authentically contribute and strengthen The University of Tennessee’s impact.”
Manager, Research Development
UT Knoxville
“Inclusion, diversity, and engagement means embracing the different backgrounds and experiences that make our UT community strong and dynamic. It is all our responsibility to make these core values to advance equity and create a learning environment where all faculty, staff, and students feel valued.”
Administrative Assistant
UT Space Institute
“To me, inclusion at UT is considering and including everyone’s needs to access resources UT has to offer to better our state and communities. Diversity to me at UT is keeping these inclusive initiatives available to the diverse population we live in today, not only the ones that make themselves known but also those we may not always notice. Engagement at UT to me is actively engaging with folks that we are including to make sure they are getting what they need from UT. IDE means including everyone’s needs to access resources to better our state and communities, keeping inclusive initiatives available to diverse populations, and actively engaging with folks that we are including to make sure they are getting what they need from UT.”
Department Head – Psychology
UT Chattanooga
“IDE focuses on creating and maintaining an environment where every member of the community believes they are treated fairly and can achieve their personal goals without discrimination.”
Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
UT System Administration
“It has never been more important that we collaborate across the UT System to ensure positive momentum in the areas of inclusion, diversity, and equity for our students, faculty, and staff.”
Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
“The University of Tennessee strives to create a welcoming environment for all stakeholders. As such, it is important that we utilize inclusion, diversity, and engagement to continuously examine all aspects of the system (operations and logistics, funding mechanisms, recruitment tactics, student success initiatives, public outreach strategies, and research endeavors) and ensure that we celebrate, illuminate, and elevate!”
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
UT Martin
“Inclusion, diversity, and engagement at UT means being intentional in our actions across the University to ensure everyone experiences and feels we are “One UT”.”
Graduate and Professional Studies Recruiter
UT Space Institute
“IDE (inclusion, diversity, and engagement) at UT: Being a first generation college graduate and a graduate of public institutions – I am a believer in and an example of the transformation qualities of public higher education. Inclusion, diversity, and engagement helps us set and reach the goals of a free and just society starting right here at home – in Tennessee.”
Director of Procurement Services
UT System Administration
“Procurement’s role in IDE is to help optimize opportunities for small and diverse businesses to do business with the University.”
Director of Student Life, Title IX Coordinator, and Chief Diversity Officer
UT Southern
“Making our campuses inclusive and welcoming places for all is inherent in UT mission. We have a tremendous opportunity to learn and grow from one another and embrace the diversity of backgrounds, opinions, and worldviews, and my hope is to continue to engage our campuses in these opportunities.”
Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement
UT Knoxville
“We want to create a culture and climate where all Vols matter and belong. We want each member of our community to be able to bring their authentic selves to campus each day.”
Chief of Staff
UT Chattanooga
“I believe that IDE is a moral and ethical imperative but also one of the most obvious, pragmatic ways for us to pursue excellence. It’s a smart thing to do – and it’s the right thing to do.”
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operations Officer
UT Health and Science Center