Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council

Legislative Charge

The Diversity Committee of the University of Southern Indiana was created in response to House Enrolled Act 1256, authorized by the 2007 Indiana General Assembly (IC-21-27-8-7) which requires that each public institution of higher education create a diversity committee to meet this legislative mandate. This committee is charged to:

Review and recommend faculty employment policies.
Review faculty and administration personnel complaints concerning diversity issues.
Make recommendations to promote and maintain cultural diversity among faculty members.
Make recommendations to promote recruitment and retention of minority students.
Issue an annual report stating the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the committee to the board.

The University’s existing Affirmative Action Committee was adapted to meet the requirements of IC 21-27-8-7.

Committee Objectives

Define the University’s vision of diversity and recommend methods to integrate that vision with existing University policies and procedures
Collect information on University programs and initiatives and community resources
Review University employment policies and processes and recommend improvements intended to increase hiring of diverse candidates
Review University complaint policies and processes concerning diversity issues and recommend improvements
Review University programs and processes, developing recommendations as appropriate for improvements to existing programs and processes and for new programs and initiatives that promote recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty and staff
Recommend methods that increase awareness of the University’s commitment to diversity
Assess University diversity training and communication needs and make recommendations
Develop methods to assess the University’s diversity efforts
Provide Annual Reports to the University’s Board of Trustees

Council Members

Mrs. Jessica Adler

Senior Administrative Associate
Contact: 812-464-1849
Byron C. Wright Administration Building 102
Email

Dr. Glenna Bower

Professor of Kinesiology and Sport
Associate Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
Contact: 812-464-1709
Education Center 1104
Email
Website

Dr. Katherine Draughon

Chief Data Officer
Associate Professor of Sociology
Contact: 812-465-1630
Byron C. Wright Administration Building 104E
Email
Website

Mr. John Farless

Director of University Communications
Contact: 812-228-5157
Publishing Services Center
Email

Ms. Heidi Gregori-Gahan

Associate Provost Emeritus for International Programs and Services
International Advancement Specialist
Contact:
University Center East
Email

Dr. Jennifer Hammat

Dean of Students
Contact: 812-464-1862
University Center East 1232
Email

Ms. Christine Hoehn

Director of Religious Life
Contact: 812-465-7095
Residence Life Service Center
Email

Mrs. Pamela Hopson

Executive Director of Multicultural Center
Adjunct - Academic Skills
Contact: 812-465-7188
University Center East 1246
Email
Website

Dr. Sakina Hughes

Associate Professor of History
Director of Africana Studies Program
Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts
Contact: 812-465-1224
Liberal Arts Center 3009
Email
Website

Mrs. Janet Johnson

Director of Alumni Relations and Volunteer USI
Adjunct - Business
Contact: 812-464-1924
University Center West 113
Email
Website

Mr. Andrew Lenhardt

Executive Director of Human Resources
Contact: 812-465-7115
Byron C. Wright Administration Building 159
Email

Dr. Julie McCullough

Associate Professor of Nutrition
Chair of Food and Nutrition Program
Assistant Dean of Health Professions
Contact: 812-461-5213
Health Professions Center 3048
Email
Website