BUSSW Researchers Lend Expertise to University-Wide Inclusion Practitioners Cohort

In spring of 2019, the Boston University Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion, in partnership with BU Human Resources, established a university-wide Inclusion Practitioners (IP) Cohort dedicated to increasing equity and inclusion across BU.

Thirty-four faculty and staff from schools and departments across the Charles River and Medical campuses participated in a 9-week diversity, equity and inclusion training led by organizational change consultant Kathy Obear. Deborah Chassler, senior academic researcher at BU School of Social Work, assisted Obear as the group’s coach, and colleague Luz Lopéz, a clinical professor at BUSSW, participated in the sessions.

The cohort used capacity-developing training to learn how to catalyze change in administrative and academic areas at the university, and to build a community with a common goal of increased diversity, equity and inclusion.

In fall 2019, the IP Cohort participated in a Welcome Back Reception co-sponsored and hosted by BUSSW.

The reception served as a reconvening for continuing Cohort participants and as an introduction for two new members of the BU Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Alana Anderson, Director of Programs for Diversity & Inclusion, and Shari Johnson, Director of Inclusive Organizational Development and Training. BUSSW dean Jorge Delva and Crystal Williams, BU’s inaugural associate provost for diversity and inclusion, presented opening remarks.

The IP Cohort, including Chassler and Lopéz, will continue their work to support capacity building at many BU schools and departments and will serve as a resource to the university as a whole.