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?"
Good News
Dr. Betty Dennis, Director, CHHS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, was a part of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education's Restorative Communities of Practice event hosted by institutions around the country including WMU. This convening of senior level chief diversity officers (CDOs), academic diversity officers (ADOs) and others who lead such efforts at institutions will advance dialogue regarding the current and future state of inclusive excellence while fostering a community of practice among leaders. The national president and CEO, Paulette Grandberry-Russell, JD was in attendance at WMU, who hosted institutions in Michigan and Indiana.
2024 WMU DEI Awards
In October 2024, the Department of Information Technology and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in the College of Health and Human Services received the 2023-24 Excellence in Diversity Award.
College of Health and Human Services Department of Information Technology
Joshua Enos, director of information technology for the college, noted the 10-member committee has “taken a clear and intentional approach to diversity.”
Specifically, this past spring, the group collaborated with Career and Student Employment Services in organizing a forum to discuss the benefits of diversity among student employees.
More recently, the IT department worked to eliminate a longstanding accessibility barrier for many blind and low-vision members by helping to implement software that includes zoom magnification, visual enhancement and fast screen reading functionality for free to anyone with a WMU email address.
“Their commitment to creating an inclusive campus, dismantling institutional bias and promoting diversity in hiring and workforce development make them deserving of this recognition,” Enos says.
College of Health and Human Services Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The college’s DEI Committee includes 15 faculty and staff members who show “an exceptional commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment in the College of Health and Human Services,” says the committee’s chair, Dr. Betty Dennis, master faculty specialist for the Center for Healthcare Services and Sciences. “Through our committee's leadership, we are ensuring that the college’s faculty, staff and student voices are heard and valued.”
Its Lunch and Learn series, accessing loan forgiveness and repayment programs for students, student climate survey for the college, biennial DEI conference and community outreach events are some of the many focus areas of the groups’ six subcommittees.
“All of our efforts are intended to play a pivotal role in addressing systemic barriers and promoting equal opportunities for our faculty, staff and students,” says Dennis.
2024 Impact Report
2024 CHHS DEI Climate Survey
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.
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 15
African Americans Diagnosed with Cancer
February 19
Honoring Personal Choices
March 19
What is your Definition of Wellness, Belonging and DEI?
April 16
Animal Therapy and Health Disparities
Visual Impairment: Lunch and learn survey results
Ageism: Lunch and learn survey results
Past Lunch and Learn Presentations
Visually Impaired - October, 2024
Presented by: Dr. Jim Leja - Faculty Emeritus, Blindness and Low Vision Studies
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.
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.
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.
Committee members
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DEI Training
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)