Pardee School Announces School-Wide Diversity Committee
On December 3, 2021, the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University announced the formation of a School-wide standing Diversity Committee, which will work with school leadership to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the Pardee School.
The committee will collect and analyze data on community demographics, plan for training and events, and make recommendations to the Dean and faculty on how to promote and advance DEI in the school’s community. Among its first tasks will be consulting with the full Pardee School community to draft a Diversity Mission Statement, which will inform strategic decision making, hiring, and curricula going forward.
“I am honored to collaborate with colleagues and students at the Pardee School of Global Studies as this community of scholars moves forward toward a more inclusive and equitable academic culture,” said Rady Roldán-Figueroa, Director, Center for Latin American Studies; Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Associate Professor of the History of Christianity; and Chair of the Pardee School Diversity Committee.
The initial committee membership is as follows:
- Rady Roldán-Figueroa (Chair) – Director, Center for Latin American Studies; Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Associate Professor of the History of Christianity
- Diya Ashtakala (Pardee, MAIA ’23)
- Seynedhee Avenie (Pardee, BA IR ’24)
- Rachel Brulé, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Pardee School
- Tima Dasouki (Pardee, IR & MENA ’22)
- Eric Schmidt – Associate Director of the African Studies Center
- Bob Sherburne – Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, Pardee School
- Jack Weinstein – Professor of the Practice of International Security, Pardee School
“The Pardee School is dedicated to teaching and research that reflects and respects the full diversity of human experience,” said William Grimes, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of International Relations and Political Science. “The Diversity Committee will support that mission by identifying obstacles to full community participation, supporting consideration of multiple perspectives, and providing opportunities for mutual learning among students, faculty, and staff.”
“We are very pleased to have an accomplished and dedicated group of students, staff, and faculty who have agreed to serve this year,” Adil Najam, Dean of the Pardee School, said in a statement. “I am grateful to all colleagues and students who volunteered to serve on the committee and as a standing committee, I hope that many of us will get a chance to serve on it over the years.”
The committee has now had its initial meetings and is finalizing a plan of action for its future work, including community-wide conversations. The Pardee School is excited to work with the entire community on these important issues and a proactive conversation, resulting in action, on this most important issue.