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:

1. Review and recommend faculty employment policies.
2. Review faculty and administration personnel complaints concerning diversity issues.
3. Make recommendations to promote and maintain cultural diversity among faculty members.
4. Make recommendations to promote recruitment and retention of minority students.
5. 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

1. Define the University’s vision of diversity and recommend methods to integrate that vision with existing University policies and procedures
2. Collect information on University programs and initiatives and community resources
3. Review University employment policies and processes and recommend improvements intended to increase hiring of diverse candidates
4. Review University complaint policies and processes concerning diversity issues and recommend improvements
5. 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
6. Recommend methods that increase awareness of the University’s commitment to diversity
7. Assess University diversity training and communication needs and make recommendations
8. Develop methods to assess the University’s diversity efforts
9. Provide Annual Reports to the University’s Board of Trustees

Council Chair

Mrs. Pamela Hopson

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

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

Dr. Jennifer Hammat

Dean of Students
Contact: 812-464-1862
University Center East 1256
Email

Ms. Christine Hoehn

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

Mrs. Janet Johnson

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

Dr. Brandi Neal

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Contact: 812-464-1919
Byron C. Wright Administration Building WA104P
Email

Mrs. Kerseclia Patterson

SWI-AHEC Academic Outreach Coordinator
Contact: 812-228-5048
Health Professions Center 2095
Email

Mr. Rashad Smith

Executive Director for Enrollment
Contact: 812-465-7048
Robert D. Orr Center 1099
Email

Dr. Rex Strange

Associate Professor of Biology
Contact: 812-465-1008
Science Center 1265
Email
Website

Mr. Steven Stump

Assistant Director of the Center for Applied Research
Contact: 812-228-5094
University Center East 2258
Email

Dr. D'Angelo Taylor

Associate Director of Multicultural Center
Adjunct - Liberal Arts
Contact: 812-465-7188
University Center East 1248
Email
Website

Mrs. Leslie Townsend

Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony
Contact: 812-465-7013
University Center East 2245
Email

Mr. Aaron Trump

Chief Government and Legal Affairs Officer
Contact: 812-464-1849
Byron C. Wright Administration Building 102K
Email

Dr. Emilija Zlatkovska

Affiliate Assistant Professor of English
Director of Intensive English Program
Adjunct - Liberal Arts
Executive Director for International Programs
Contact: 812-461-5362
Robert D. Orr Center 3053
Email
Website

Students

Kelsey McCullough, former SGA President