DIVERSITY MATTERS
SPECIAL EDITION JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2023
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Impact Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Update Search Exemption Form. . . . 2 Wear Red Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Stalking Awareness Month . . . . . . . . . 2 Black History Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
UTHSC FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS
DCP Graduates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
HONORED FOR MAKING AN IMPACT
Title VII and Title IX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Written by Christopher Green
Book Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity presented the UTHSC Impact Awards to acknowledge and celebrate students, faculty, and staff members for going beyond the call of duty in their roles at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
OIED Handouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Diversity in the Middle Group. . . . . . . 6 MLK Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Clarifying Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CDO Sessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
OFFICE OF INCLUSION, EQUITY, AND DIVERSITY TEAM uthsc.edu/oied/staff Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Associate Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Chief Diversity Officer Miki Sisco-Sankrityayan, JD Senior Compliance Resolution Officer Isabella Porcaro, MA Learning Assurance Officer Miriam Ghandi Associate Compliance Generalist Abigail Marbibi-Caritan, MA Associate Engagement Generalist
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/ Section 504/ADA/ADEA/V institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.
Winners of the Lichterman Award, the Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award, the Student Social Justice and Diversity Healthcare Leadership Award, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Award were announced during a hybrid ceremony that took place at the Mooney Building Library and on Zoom. The Thomas C. Lichterman Outstanding Employee Award is given to an employee based on their reliability, quality of work, and attitude and disposition in the workplace. Lichterman reached beyond his job description as a messenger at UTHSC for 11 years. His brother, John, presented the award to Lee Weaver, a senior IT technologist for ITS Instructional Services, who was described as dependable, knowledgeable, patient, and communicative. “During a time of need, students have posted [Weaver’s] picture with a Batman symbol, because like a superhero, [he] has been a hero during the most troubling times with technology,” OIED’s Abigail Caritan said when announcing the award. The Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award recognizes non-faculty exempt employees who have demonstrated outstanding service or who have made significant contributions to the university community beyond what was expected of them. Debbie Jackson won the award for her work as the benefits director in the Human Resources department. “Winning the Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award is a wonderfully humbling experience,” Jackson said. “Being recognized and honored means I’ve succeeded in my goal to help make a difference every day.” This year, 10 students from five colleges were nominated for the Student Social Justice and Diversity Healthcare Leadership Award, recognizing students whose actions promote the acceptance of diverse views, backgrounds, and experiences. Three winners were chosen: Drahea Martin Continued on next page