Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Q&A With Interim Co-Chairs of the Academic Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Thursday, April 28, 2022, By News Staff
Share
Diversity and InclusionOffice of Diversity and Inclusion

As part of the commitment to making Syracuse University a place that is welcoming and inclusive to all, each academic unit has a designated diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) leader. These DEIA leaders report to either a dean or an academic unit head and are responsible for assisting in the cultivation of an inclusive climate in their respective areas. In addition to their individual roles, they are part of a collective, the Academic Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (ALDEIA), formerly known as the Inclusive Leadership Assembly.

ALDEIA will provide counsel to the incoming vice president of diversity and inclusion, Mary Grace A. Almandrez, as well as to leadership in the schools and colleges; shares knowledge and resources among its membership; and supports the resiliency of those who conduct DEIA work across the academic units.

ALDEIA’s interim co-chairs Diane Crawford, executive director for institutional culture in the Whitman School of Management, and Suzette Melendez, associate dean for equity and inclusion and professor in the College of Law, discuss ALDEIA’s focus for this academic year and beyond in the following Q&A.

Q: How would you describe ALDEIA?

Melendez: I would best describe the group as a collective of dedicated people who bring multiple perspectives about DEIA to the table. ALDEIA consists of the appointed diversity leads from each of the individual schools, colleges and academic units, hence our new name the Academic Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.

Q: What is ALDEIA’s focus?

Melendez: We lead change in the academic and work environments to foster a climate focused on inclusive excellence, anti-racist practices and professional development.

Q: What are some of ALDEIA’s top priorities?

Crawford: Each of the respective units have different priorities based upon the needs of their demographic. However, I would say that ALDEIA is centralized around the following pillars:

  • Lead the diversity and inclusion efforts in our respective units
  • Identify, define and implement best practices
  • Identify DEIA opportunities for improvement and offer resolutions

Q: How does ALDEIA work with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)?

Crawford: This year, in lieu of the appointment of a vice president of diversity and inclusion, ALDIEA has partnered with ODI as we mapped out our focus and set our current priorities. Moving forward, we are eager to present our recommendations to the new vice president for diversity and inclusion and to receive her feedback and direction on ALDEIA’s current and future work.

Q: How has ALDEIA helped to improve campus diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility?

Melendez: As a group, it works to our benefit to be a part of different organizations and programs on campus to stay abreast of the campus community’s needs. In addition to our numerous individual contributions that I believe add to the richness of the ALDEIA, we are focused on the following:

  • Gathering and monitoring key demographic data for each respective unit to create tailored strategies
  • Reviewing data from campus surveys, such as the campus climate survey, to help improve our strategic efforts
  • Establishing baseline responsibilities and resources for our respective roles within the schools and colleges
  • Responding to the draft of the DEIA five-year strategic plan and ensuring our work is aligned within its framework
  • Creating professional development workshops for faculty and staff
  • Partnering with different departments and organizations on campus to push DEIA efforts forward
  • Partnering with ODI to develop dialogue circles to facilitate conversations around race

Q: How can the campus community engage with ALDEIA?

Melendez: Members of the campus community can contact their individual school or college representative if they have any questions, suggestions and/or concerns.

The 2021-2022 ALDEIA members are the following:

  • Kal Alston, School of Education
  • Kishi Animashaun Ducre, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Tyler Bell, College of Professional Studies
  • Lori Brown, School of Architecture
  • Eboni Britt (interim liaison), Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Melissa Chessher, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
  • Diane Crawford (interim 2021-22 co-chair), Martin J. Whitman School of Management
  • Karen Davis, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Martha Diede, Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence
  • Chandice Haste-Jackson, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
  • Jeffery Mangram, Provost Faculty Fellow, Inclusive Teaching
  • Gladys McCormick, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
  • Suzette Melendez (interim 2021-22 co-chair), College of Law
  • Lisa Moeckel, Syracuse University Libraries
  • Dawit Negussey, The Graduate School
  • Carol Ruffin/Milton Laufer, College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Jennifer Stromer-Galley, School of Information Studies
  • Salatha Willis, Syracuse University Athletics Department
  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Chancellor Syverud Addresses Athletics, Benefits, Sustainability at University Senate
    Wednesday, September 27, 2023, By News Staff
  • Setting the Agenda in Biology Research: 2 Professors Join NIH Peer Review Committees
    Wednesday, September 27, 2023, By News Staff
  • iSchool Student Selected for Highly Competitive Data Librarianship Internship
    Wednesday, September 27, 2023, By Anya Woods
  • Exploring the Existence of Life at 125 Degrees Fahrenheit
    Tuesday, September 26, 2023, By Dan Bernardi
  • How Climate Warming Could Disrupt a Deep-Rooted Relationship
    Tuesday, September 26, 2023, By Dan Bernardi

More In Campus & Community

Chancellor Syverud Addresses Athletics, Benefits, Sustainability at University Senate

On Sept. 27, Chancellor Kent Syverud addressed University Senate at its first meeting of the Fall 2023 semester. His remarks were as follows: Thank you, Professor [Kira] Reed. It’s a pleasure to see so many of you in person. We’re…

‘Leading With Distinction’: Academic Strategic Plan Officially Launches at Tuesday’s Symposium (Video)

More than 400 members of the University community gathered in person and online yesterday for the official launch of “Leading With Distinction,” Syracuse’s new academic strategic plan. The launch of the plan follows more than a year of collaborative and…

Be Proactive: How to Keep Yourself Safe on Campus

While the chances of you becoming the victim of a crime during your time at Syracuse are low, it is still important to know what steps you can take to keep yourself and your belongings safe. We have teamed up…

College of Visual and Performing Arts Welcomes New Full-Time Faculty

Sixteen new full-time faculty joined the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) for the 2023-24 academic year. Two of the faculty members are also new department chairs in the college. Gregg Barron, assistant teaching professor of music industry in…

Academic Strategic Plan Launch Symposium Set for Sept. 26

Following a yearlong planning and development process involving hundreds of members of the campus community, “Leading With Distinction,” Syracuse University’s new academic strategic plan, was unveiled earlier this month. A launch symposium will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.