Diversity Statement
The Department of Psychological Science at Northern Kentucky University values the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff. We seek to promote and maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment across all aspects of department function, including teaching, research, and service. The field of psychology is concerned with understanding how people think, behave, and interact. However, psychology as a discipline, and academia more broadly, have not always represented and supported all groups fairly. This has perpetuated the systematic marginalization of historically excluded groups. As psychological scientists, we are equipped to do better.We recognize that diversity, in all forms, enhances the learning environment and workplace. When people feel they can freely express their identities, thoughts, experiences, and opinions in an environment that provides equal opportunity to participate and contribute, it allows for growth personally and professionally. It is our goal as a department to promote and elevate diversity as a crucial aspect of personal and professional development in psychology, as we prepare our students to be lifelong learners, respectful colleagues, culturally competent researchers and practitioners, and actively engaged citizens on our campus and in their communities.
We strive to promote inclusion by applying our scientific training and knowledge. As scientists, we know the value of evidence-based practices, ongoing assessment, and collaboration. These are tools we can use to advance inclusivity. We recognize the need to practice humility and self-reflection, acknowledging our own biases and places for growth. As a department, students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to model and learn how we all benefit by listening, engaging, and supporting those with experiences outside of our own.As we engage in intentional, ongoing, and transparent action and discussion surrounding diversity and inclusion in our department, we invite everyone to be an active participant. It is through connection and collaboration that we will be able to respond to the needs of our students and the ever-evolving diverse society in which we reside.
Goals
a. Communication: To improve communication within our department related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, opportunities, and resources, we will utilize multiple platforms and outreach methods to reassert psychology's role in understanding and promoting DEI while acknowledging that psychology has failed to address systematic inequalities in the field historically.
b. Professional development: To ensure faculty, staff, and students feel empowered and encouraged to contribute in their roles to addressing DEI in the classroom, workplace, and their communities, we will identify and promote participation participation in a variety of professional development opportunities (e.g., seminars, discussions, readings, etc.). Professional development may include: increasing awareness of personal bias; promoting exposure to and understanding perspectives; and enhancing education along with belonging and sense of community.
c. Inclusion: To identify and respond to barriers within and beyond the classroom, we will provide opportunities for open dialogue and complete regular climate assessments to identify barriers to engagement for all students. Once identified from data collected, we will be transparent, intentional, and innovative in responding to those barriers, engaging faculty, staff, and students to arrive at solutions.
Diversity Committe Contact Information (2021-2022)
Committe Coordinator:
Dr. Allyson Graf - grafa1@nku.edu
Student Committe Representatives:
Sydney Ellis - elliss3@mymail.nku.edu
Daisy Villacis - villacisd1@mymail.nku.edu
Committe Members:
Dr. Kinsey Bryant-Lees -bryantleek1@nku.edu
Dr. Ty Brumback - brumbackt1@nku.edu
Dr. Heather Kissel - kisselh2@nku.edu
Dr. Mahya Mashhadi - mahya_1@nku.edu
Christina Knight - knightc7@nku.edu
Adriana Mapp - mappa1@nku.edu
