The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion announced today name changes for the Center for Diversity and Enrichment (CDE) and the Diversity Resources (DR) units to reflect better the services each provide the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Iowa.

The Center for Diversity and Enrichment will now be known as the Center for Inclusive Academic Excellence (CIAE). The Diversity Resources unit will transition to become Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiatives (IESI).

The realignment of CIAE and IESI continues the university's growth to broaden the portfolio of DDEI to meet the needs of our community.  The refocus of CIAE and IESI to the academic mission is one more effort to develop the coordination of campus-wide DEI efforts.  Over the past year, DDEI has added leadership resources with the additions of Andre Perry and Charlie Taylor, assisted with the increase of hiring leaders from diverse backgrounds, reimagined DEI communications, and aligned institutional reporting and response of sexual misconduct, bias, discrimination, and harassment incidents through the creation of the Office of Institutional Equity.

Center for Diversity and Enrichment (CDE) becomes Center for Inclusive Academic Excellence (CIAE)
 

The Center for Diversity and Enrichment has changed its name to the Center for Inclusive Academic Excellence to ensure student success is at the forefront of our service to students.

In the past year, all CIAE Academic coaches and success coaches have been trained and certified to support students through a comprehensive coaching framework. A framework has been created for working with students individually through coaching meetings based on six principles: academic skill-building, the Learning@Iowa Framework, financial literacy, career development, well-being, non-cognitive skills, and campus referrals.

The programming of CIAE is evolving to reflect a more inclusive pedagogy.  It will also grow to broaden conversations and support for students who have been historically placed on the margins of higher education.  

The goals and vision of the unit moving forward are to align the staffing structure to the needs of students in programs and areas such as, but not limited to: Advantage Iowa Scholars, Iowa Edge, Storm Lake Scholars, Iowa First Nations, TRIO Student Support Services, and Student Assistants.  

The structural changes made in the unit include at least one assistant director in each sub-unit, focusing on staff leadership and professional development. The unit will increase academic programming for students to build a community of learners and educators.  

“This shift has been made possible through the reflection and commitment of the entire staff of the Center for Inclusive Academic Excellence,” stated Tabitha Wiggins, Director of the CIAE.  “Without this commitment to focus on the most marginalized students and to support their success broadly, this shift would not be possible. I am excited for the possibilities that we’ve dreamed together to come to fruition.”

Diversity Resources (DR) becomes Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiatives (IESI)
 

Diversity Resource's name change to Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiatives better communicates their specific mission to connect, empower, and transform. 

“Our success and growth are a direct result of the continued support and engagement of campus partners, the IESI staff, and all those who came before this current team,” stated Brianna Marcelo, IESI Director. “Even with a new name, our goal to create and sustain accessible educational programming and partnerships across campus remains the focus.”

IESI facilitates educational programming, intentional community engagement, coaching, consulting, and resource creation. IESI's primary efforts include the BUILD program, the LGBTQ Safe Zone Project, National Coalition Building Institute workshops, Cultural Intelligence workshops, Hawks of Color gatherings, and Implicit Bias workshops. Additionally, IESI delivers requests for educational programming, coaching, and strategic planning support to departments and communities.