Senior Advisor Lauren Thams Commits to Inclusion Efforts
Lauren Thams, a Senior Undergraduate Advisor at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, recently graduated from the Boston University DEI Staff Institute. This achievement marks her commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the Pardee community.
Lauren brings a wealth of experience to her role, having received her Master’s in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University and her Bachelor’s in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Michigan. She has worked in higher education across various functional areas, including academic advising, international student services, experiential and co-curricular learning, and academic support services. Before transitioning into higher education, Lauren worked in refugee and immigrant services and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa.
The DEI Staff Institute, established in Fall 2021, serves as a platform for staff members across various departments to enhance their understanding and engagement with DEI topics. Through this program, participants like Thams gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create positive change within their respective departments and programs.
The program’s objectives are centered around establishing a strong foundation in diversity, equity, and inclusion, developing leadership skills, and understanding campus resources related to DEI. Participants learn to define and articulate key concepts such as diversity, equity, inclusion, climate, justice, and bias. Additionally, they develop leadership capabilities to integrate DEI principles into their work, initiate conversations, and spearhead relevant initiatives.
Reflecting on her experience, Thams expressed enthusiasm about applying her newfound knowledge to her role.
“It was a great experience, and I have been and will continue to implement what I learned over the last year into my work in an effort to be more inclusive and to promote equity mindfulness,” she said.
In her capacity as a Senior Undergraduate Advisor and a member of the Pardee School of Global Studies’ DEI Committee, Thams is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to advancing DEI efforts within her department and beyond.