Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At the College of Health and Human Services, we seek to be a community of learners that embraces, respects and advocates for human diversity, inclusion and social justice in its education, research and service programs.

We invite all students, faculty and staff to actively work together to become a more diverse, inclusive and just community.

Word cloud generated by students answers to the question, "what is the most important focus of DEI for you?"

Spring 2024 events

  • Burian Lecture

    Featuring Dr. James Jackson, author of "Clearing the Fog. March 21

  • DEI Conference

    March 22 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The theme is Advancing Health Equity

DEI Dropbox

Report DEI-related concerns that you have seen or experienced in the college or anywhere on campus. Ask DEI-related questions. Make DEI-related suggestions.

Committee members and Calendar

  • Dr. Betty Dennis, chair
  • Dr. Carrie Barrett
  • Wan Chen
  • Eric Comer
  • Dr. Elyse Conners
  • Joshua Enos
  • Dr. Azalia Gonzalez
  • Dr. Angela Groves
  • Dr. Janet Hahn
  • Charles Hanks
  • Joel Krauss
  • Dr. Andrea Perez
  • Dawn Smith
  • Tanya Timmerman
  • Dr. Pamela Wadsworth
  • Dr. Anna Yelick

Click here for a listing of DEI-related holidays and remembrances.

DEI EVENTS calendar

Lunch and Learn Series

Join us in the CHHS student engagement center on the third Wednesday of each month for these engaging conversations.
Sessions run from 11 a.m. to noon and will be available for streaming on the college's YouTube channel.
Free lunch is provided by the CHHS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

  • January 17 Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa - Xenophobia

  • February 21 Morgan Scafe (CHHS alum) - Trauma and its impact on health

  • April 17 Dr. Doris Ravotas - Health Literacy

Members and Data

2023 data

We have published race/ethnicity/gender data for students, staff and faculty from the fall 2023 census reports. This page is in process and will continue to be updated as we gather data.

 CHHS Data 2023

DEI Community Outreach Showcase

Are you doing some work to help our local, state or even international community?

We want to celebrate you! 

There is a lot of great work - often with diversity, equity and inclusion at its core - happening in this college. We would like to highlight that work for our college community.

Please use the DEI Dropbox to share some information about your project. Tell us how you're impacting the community from a DEI perspective. We'll take your info, reach out to you to get some photos, and highlight your work on the digital screens in our building and in the regular communications from the central office. You'll also go on our list for our annual CHHS DEI awards, given each spring.

Questions? Contact Betty Dennis at betty.dennis@wmich.edu.

Impact and statement

Statement on Race and Antiracism

WMU CHHS has released a Statement on Race and Antiracism. We announce a proactive stance on race and antiracism and propose measurable actions to work against racism in support of all of our students. 

Read the entire statement

Impact Report

The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion has released its 2023 Impact Report. Learn more about the plans, activities and outcomes from the committee.

2023 Impact Report

2022 Report   |   2021 Report

DEI Training

  • ""

    Intersectionality

    September 2022

    View presentation

  • Video of Panel Discussion on LGBTQIA2S+ Experiences with Health Care

    LGBTQIA2S+ Experiences with Health Care

    February 2022

    View now

  • Video of Identity, Power and Privilege - DEI Training, January 2022

    Identity, Power and Privilege

    January 2022

    View now

More information

Committee Information

  • Chair: Dr. Betty Dennis, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the College of Health and Human Services.

  • Meeting dates: The College of Health and Human Services Committee on Diversity and Inclusion currently meets at 9 a.m. on the second Friday of each month during the fall and spring semesters.

Framework for Initiatives   Annual Report (2014)   College-wide Survey (2010)