by Summer Allen
December 14th 2021
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Photograph by Patric Simon
Portland State University has been named a Racial Justice and Equity Program Award Winner by the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) in recognition of PSU’s efforts to increase faculty and staff diversity and inclusion by improving hiring and retention practices.
Ame Lambert, PSU’s Vice President for Global Diversity and Inclusion, said she was delighted to see the university’s emerging efforts recognized.
“We aim to be an institution of choice for minoritized employees; a place where they, and our students, can be seen, supported, empowered and equipped,” Lambert said. “We are grateful to our partners across campus who are working hard to build this infrastructure and are grateful to all those who are working day in and day out to make PSU an equitable, just and inclusive community.”
As an award winner, PSU will receive a $20,000 grant to create a leadership academy that will support the professional development of employees from minoritized backgrounds. PSU will partner with local nonprofits, including Partners in Diversity, to develop the academy, which will be focused on multiple aspects of career development. The leadership academy will work to build a sense of belonging for BIPOC faculty and staff by improving employee onboarding practices, fostering supportive mentorship relationships and examining policies and institutional structures that may create barriers to equity.
“We’re thrilled to select Portland State as a Racial Justice and Equity Award Winner,” said Melissa Rivas, Assistant Director at the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities. “Diversity of staff and faculty is essential for a thriving university and we’re delighted Portland State is taking a leadership role in addressing equity gaps [in] staff and faculty that are far too common across higher education.”
PSU will work closely with USU to collect data, monitor progress, evaluate outcomes and disseminate project findings over the course of the 12-month grant.