Housing and Residence Life and Institutional Equity staff win GLASS award at Great Lakes Association of College & University Housing Officers conference
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A presentation highlighting WMU Housing and Residence Life’s groundbreaking work in the diversity, equity and inclusion space was recognized at the Great Lakes Association of College & University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) in mid-November. Titled “Beyond the Checkbox: Transforming Lives Through Social Mobility in Residential Communities,” the interactive presentation was given by Roshona (Shoni) Porter, director of housing and residence life; Jackie Miller, assistant director of housing and residence life; Valaree Kyser, equity outreach specialist; and Gigi Ward, hall director.
Conference participants awarded WMU’s presenters with the Great Lakes All Star Session (GLASS) Award. The presentation, which focused on Housing's implementation of actionable DEI steps into their department as a response to the 2020 murder of George Floyd, was cited by attendees as one of the “most helpful presentations” at the conference with “really impressive content.”
In the fall of 2020, a group of Housing professional staff came together to create the department’s first Call to Action plan, guided by the pillars of safety, education and inclusion and access. They clarified their mission, values and introduced their Black Lives Matter statement to address ongoing racial injustice, all while promoting DEI work throughout all levels of the department. The detailed plan cemented their commitment to supporting minoritized students on campus and creating an inclusive environment for the broader WMU community, with an emphasis on transparency and responsive advocacy.
The department’s CTA also laid the groundwork for extensive programming and educational opportunities. Under the newly established DEI Initiatives, professional and student staff received continuing education on topics like the impact of systemic racism, discrimination and inequity, bystander intervention training, allyship, LGBTQ+ support, DEI recognition in higher education and more. They also instituted the “Doing Your Own Work” program which ensured staff were regularly engaging in DEI-related professional development and seeking out their own educational opportunities.
According to Porter, this ongoing training has proved transformative for the entire department. “Our team members approach their roles with increased confidence and authority, enabling them to be more effective advocates at institutional discussions and decision-making tables. Some of this confidence stems from having a clear understanding of Housing and Residence Life’s Call to Action, which empowers them to meaningfully engage with the broader campus community.
“What's particularly significant is how our staff has become catalysts for positive change. They don't hesitate to raise challenging questions that push our university to think more deeply about inclusivity and student success. This willingness to engage in difficult conversations and advocate for comprehensive solutions has strengthened our institution's ability to create an environment where all students and staff can truly thrive.”
WMU's presentation at GLACUHO discussed how the department has used these methods to uphold their DEI commitments over the past four years. More importantly, the presentation focused on the importance of moving past acknowledgement, digging deep and doing the work.
“It’s beyond just checking the boxes and saying that we did it,” explains Kyser, a current staff member in the Office of Institutional Equity and a member of the original Housing team responsible for crafting the CTA plan. “It’s about really integrating it into our everyday lives and into the culture that our students see as they live in our residential communities.”
The presentation explained how enacting an achievable CTA plan and incorporating social mobility in everyday housing work created that meaningful culture shift across the department. It also provided a framework for other institutions to implement similar policies. Providing this framework was important to Jackie Miller, who had noticed a lack of helpful discussion on actionable DEI work from other housing conferences she’d attended.
“We have always had a strong reputation in the field as a department that does good work, but this allows us to provide a narrative on the way we are doing the good work,” she explains. “This (presentation) was a great opportunity to talk about what we are doing ourselves and provide a way that something like this can be adapted to other institutions, which is what a lot of institutions struggle with. They know the importance of the work and that it should be part of their daily environment, but getting started seems to be a roadblock.”
The current climate surrounding DEI is another roadblock many institutions encounter, and one which the presenting group took into consideration when designing their presentation.
“We know that DEI is under attack, but we want to give a different perspective to people,” explains Kyser. “Diversity, equity, inclusion... you may not be listening when we say those words so let’s shift it a little bit. Let’s talk about social mobility, and DEI is the undertone of it... but (ultimately) it’s about removing barriers. It’s about equal access.”
Ward, who oversees the daily operation of Britton/Hadley Hall, one of the most unique and diversely populated residence halls on WMU’s campus, notes that focusing on social mobility in housing ensures every student’s needs are met.
“The idea of the “checkbox” is one that we are doing the bare minimum to say that we are meeting the goal. However, that minimum is simply not enough to make sure that students are well-equipped to work with diverse populations. To move beyond that minimum, we have incorporated DEI work as a core tenant of who we are. I think now more than ever, DEI work has been framed as something that is bad and shouldn’t exist, and it was important for us to publicly say that we believe in this work and want to help other people do this work as well.”
Through their presentation, WMU staff were able to do exactly that. “Beyond the Checkbox” received glowing feedback from session participants, many of whom appreciated the “accessible materials and examples,” “real conversation” and “engaging and helpful presenters.” Several participants suggested they would be bringing the materials and actionable policies from the presentation back to their own departments.
As a result of being voted the best session at the regional conference, the team will present their work at the Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I) next summer.
“In an era where we often hear more about what needs improvement, it’s particularly meaningful to see WMU’s Housing and Residence Life team showcase our innovative practices and successful initiatives,” says Porter. “This presentation not only highlights our department’s excellence but also allows us to pause and celebrate the meaningful work we do every day. Winning the All-Star Award validates our team’s dedication and the significant impact we’re making in student housing. It’s a testament to both our staff’s expertise and their commitment to continuous improvement.”
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.