UT Inclusion, Diversity and Engagement (UT IDE) Strategic Alliance

Two of our key Be One UT values are United and Connected and Embrace Diversity. In September, we announced the creation of the UT Inclusion, Diversity and Engagement (UT IDE) Strategic Alliance to move our System toward both those values.

Following an application process, 30 UT employees spanning a broad diversity spectrum including age, veteran status, mental and physical ability, perspective, geographic location, race, gender, ethnicity, position and length of service, will volunteer their time to assist our efforts towards a diverse and fully inclusive environment for faculty, staff and students. The UT IDE Strategic Alliance will truly be an active systemwide resource for all efforts involving inclusion, diversity and engagement.

The strategic alliance is comprised of four groups working in unison, including the Senior Advisory Council, Steering Committee, Action Team and Resource Team. Teams will meet regularly to develop and implement strategic direction regarding inclusion, diversity and engagement while providing opportunities for UT community involvement.

 

Senior Advisory Council

Senior Advisory Council members have direct alignment to the President.

Role

  • Responsible for ensuring alignment of system-wide IDE
  • Champion, advocate, and communicate UT IDE efforts
  • Embedding IDE across UT for sustainable change

Members

  • Dr. Craig Pickett, Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, UTIA
  • Doug Bohner, Human Resource Officer, UTIA
  • Sarah Catherine Richardson, Director of Student Life, UT Southern
  • David Steele, Chief of Staff, UTC
  • Stacie Lightfoot, Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Engagement, UTC
  • Mark McCloud, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, UTM
  • Petra McPherson, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, UTM
  • Tyvi Small, Vice Chancellor, Diversity and Engagement, UTK
  • Ken Brown, Executive Vice Chancellor, UTHSC
  • Michael Alston, Asst Vice Chancellor Equity and Diversity, UTHSC

 

 

Steering Committee

Steering Committee members have direct responsibility for IDE at a specific campus/institute.

Role

  • Responsible for identifying strategic approaches for IDE
  • Champion, advocate, and communicate UT IDE efforts
  • Provide and initiate opportunities for strategic direction

Members

  • Andre’ Porter, UTSI Grad & Prof Studies Recruiter, Space Institute
  • Annie Jones, Coordinator II, Martin
  • Blake Reagan, Director of Purchasing, System Administration
  • Brian O’Leary, Associate Professor and Head, Chattanooga
  • Danny Pirtle, Visiting Assistant Professor, Martin
  • Elisha Hodge, IPS Consultant, Legal, Institute for Public Service
  • Heather Hartman, Asst Vice Provost, Knoxville
  • Janelle Coleman, Exec Dir for Diversity and Engagement, Knoxville
  • Jeff Hundley, Training Specialist, Institute for Public Service
  • Patricia Berks-Jelks, Director, Space Institute

 

 

Action Team

Members of the Action Team are actively involved in the delivery of IDE strategic approaches.

Role

  • Responsible for carrying out the actions necessary to enhance IDE
  • Champion, advocate, and communicate
  • Provide tangible outcomes of strategic enhancement activities

Members

  • Chandra West-Alston, Associate Vice Chancellor, Health Science Center
  • Diana Moyer, Manager, Research Development, Knoxville
  • Meghan Morris, Administrative Assistant, Space Institute

 

 

Resource Team

Members of the Resource team are recognized as resources for input for identified strategic approaches.

Role

  • Responsible for resource alignment as needed
  • Champion, advocate, and communicate
  • Provide specific required resources to advance IDE strategic efforts

Members

  • Jorge Perez, Associate Vice President, UTSA
  • Rosite Delgado, Director, UTC
  • Stephanie Butler, Counselor, UTM

 

 

For more information about UT-IDE, contact Delphia Howze delphia.howze@tennessee.edu.