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Professional Staff Organization

Category: Diversity and Equity

2024 DEI Forum Achieving Equity Together: April 30-May 1, 2024

The Professional Staff Organization DEI Committee is thrilled to announce the upcoming 2024 Annual DEI Forum will be held on April 30 and May 1. This year’s forum will focus on overcoming the challenges associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in higher education. 

The event will center around the UW’s commitment to social justice and will feature workshops and small group discussions among campus leadership, esteemed faculty, and dedicated professional staff. The sessions are designed to foster open discussions to develop strategies for creating diversity initiatives to ensure the success of marginalized communities across the tri-campus community. 

Mark your calendars, and join us as we work together to create a university community that embraces diversity, champions equity, and values inclusion. 

Registration is now open: https://wholeu.admin.washington.edu/uwnetid/twuext/EventDetail.aspx?regid=&eventid=1655&eventsessionid= 

For more information, please email the PSO DEI Committee. 

Professional Staff Organization Spring Celebration with UW President Ana Mari Cauce

The PSO is excited to host the annual Spring Celebration with UW President Ana Mari Cauce on Friday, May 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate the end of another extraordinary academic and fiscal year. The event will begin with refreshments and an onsite reception, followed by the President’s address on Zoom. Connect with other professional staff, meet the new PSO Board members, see what your PSO has been up to, and hear from UW President Ana Mari Cauce. We are also excited to announce the recipients of the annual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Excellence Award at the Celebration!

This event is taking place in the Health Sciences Education Building, Room 101, with President Cauce’s address on Zoom. Please register here: https://wholeu.admin.washington.edu/uwnetid/twuext/EventDetail.aspx?regid=&eventid=1661&eventsessionid=1619

Intergenerational Wisdom: Healing Forward with Dr. Wilson Edward Reed

In honor of Black History Month, the Burke Museum has partnered with the PSO DEI committee to host a candid conversation that centers on the elders of the African diaspora, cultural healing modalities, and a shared reflection from Dr. Wilson Edward Reed. He will share how his healing journey from anxiety and depression has evolved since living through the era of Jim Crow in the racially divisive state of Mississippi.

The presentation will include a grounding exercise inspired by the book:

‘The Inner Work of Racial Justice by Rhonda V. Magee

Drawing: Attendees will be entered into a raffle for a chance to receive a free copy of the author’s book ‘June Bug’. Up to 10 winners will be chosen.

Learn more about the background of the author and the book details below.

About the Author: https://mississippijunebug.net/about-author/

 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

12-1 PM

Registration Link: https://wholeu.admin.washington.edu/uwnetid/twuext/EventDetail.aspx?regid=&eventid=1631&eventsessionid=1593&mkt_tok=NTI3LUFIUi0yNjUAAAGRjvzge4GIvHMoZor8nmT_9bHezae3y7E3vLB27Vs7h02XHHQQup8Ej1T36MuZ8ObrIaz0QhoKb4O0Ri-MvBSmWuNvK39f6cBc-zG3DHqT_nk

For questions, please reach out to psoboard@uw.edu

Inclusivity Around The Winter Holiday Season

Join us for a dynamic committee presentation and group discussion on creating inclusive and joyous holiday celebrations. In a world that embraces diversity, it’s essential to ensure our holiday festivities are reflective of the rich tapestry of cultures and traditions within our community. We will explore practical strategies for promoting inclusivity, sharing diverse holiday experiences, and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone. Through open dialogue and collaborative discussions, let’s collectively discover ways to make this winter holiday season a source of joy for every individual, irrespective of background or beliefs. Your insights and ideas are vital in shaping a more inclusive and festive community spirit. Let’s celebrate the holidays together with warmth, understanding, and unity.

December 5, 2023

12-1 PM

Presentation via Zoom.

For questions, please reach out to psoboard@uw.edu

2023 DEI Forum Inspiring Belonging and Creating Community

The quad is buzzing with tourists, the cherry blossoms have bloomed, and April has officially arrived. The Professional Staff Organization is looking forward to welcoming Husky students, staff, and faculty to join the PSO for the 2023 Annual DEI Forum this Spring. This year is focused on inspiring belonging and creating community. Rickey Hall, Vice President for Minority Affairs & Diversity and University Diversity Officer, will provide an update on the University of Washington’s progress on Diversity Efforts, as well as join a panel composed of Tri-Campus Leadership to continue the conversation on DEI endeavors.  

During the 2-day event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from Campus Leadership, Faculty, and Professional Staff while engaging in various workshops and small group discussions rooted in our commitment to social justice. In this space, we intend to spark conversation and further connection throughout our UW Tri-Campus community. Session topics will offer insight on building inclusive spaces, understanding the work necessary to achieve belonging, and begin paving paths for marginalized communities to succeed in all aspects on our campuses.

Register now for the DEI Forum!  

If you are a Professional Staff Member that is passionate about advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the PSO DEI Committee is currently seeking members to join in on developing future programming and contribute to engagement efforts that support our diverse Pro Staff community. You can inquire about joining the DEI Committee or other Standing Committees on the PSO Committees’ page.  

The PSO thanks our sponsors, Greater Washington State HERC, PSO Board members, and contributors to the PSO fund that have made this event and our work possible throughout the year.  

Faculty Contributions to DEI: Discussions with Legal Scholar Dr. Brian Soucek

Hosted by the Faculty Council on Race, Equity & Justice

Friday March 3, 2023  |  Foege Auditorium  |  11:00am –  12:20pm

Diversity statements, which are increasingly used in faculty hiring and promotion, often generate confusion and consternation. Dr. Brian Soucek, a leading voice in the use of diversity statements in academia, will explore the issues. The event will be in person on the Seattle campus, and on Zoom.

Online option via zoom: https://washington.zoom.us/j/98041059297
A recording will be posted on the FCREJ website

This event is made possible with support from
UW Office for Faculty Advancement and Greater Washington State Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

PSO to host DEI Forum in April, focused on Belonging

The PSO is excited to host the 7th DEI Forum, with the theme “Inspiring Belonging and Creating Community”. The purpose of this regular forum is to an intersectional space for those interested in advocating for equity to come together to share ideas, network, and build coalitions to advance anti-racism and social justice efforts across UW and beyond. This includes intersecting aspects of identity such as race, ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, language, socioeconomic status, and religion.

This year, the DEI Forum theme will be “Inspiring Belonging and Creating Community”. Pat Wadors, the CHRO of ServiceNow, is credited with adding “belonging” to the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) space. As she says, “D&I may capture your head, but belonging captures your heart.” In this spirit, the DEI Forum intends to create an inclusive space of belonging, and to provide resources, ideas, and connections so that we as a UW community can support each other in building and sustaining inclusive spaces of belonging in our communities, at UW and beyond.

The forum is developed by pro-staff and for pro-staff, and is open to all of the UW community who wish to participate!

Register now for the 2023 DEI Forum

  • When: April 19, 12-4pm; and April 20, 9am-1pm
  • Where: Zoom

Check out our event page, which will be updated as we finalize the program, and register to join us!

November is National Native American Heritage month

The PSO wishes to recognize November as National Native American Heritage month.

This language was developed by the Department of Chemistry, and they’ve graciously allowed us to share this with the professional staff community. The language has been lightly edited for this audience (eg, replacing “I” with “we”):

Native American Heritage month was passed by congress and signed into law in 1990. It recognizes the important contributions of our nation’s first people. Many communities and institutions celebrate the rich history and culture of American Indian and Alaska Native people throughout the year, and especially during this month. Do we?

There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State and more, which are not yet federally recognized. In the United States, there are over 550 federally recognized tribes.

We must consider our part in working to heal relationships and honor the American Indian and Alaska Native communities. We encourage you to take a moment, on whatever land you sit on, to find ways of respecting and acknowledging the people whose land you are on. Click on the links below for a few resources to assist with learning more.

BIPOC Staff Development Program Launching October 19th

Launching in October, this new program for staff who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color BIPOC is designed to foster community, advance professional development and increase engagement and retention of BIPOC staff at the University of Washington. Content includes self-paced online programming, in-person and Zoom events, competency-based workshops and specialized content — all  free for BIPOC staff while enrolled in the program. The program will follow a cohort model and space may be limited. You are encouraged to register for the “Welcome to BIPOC Staff Development Program” online orientation and then formally enroll by November 16th to ensure your spot in the Autumn 2022 cohort. Staff that complete the program will receive one of the following certificates depending on their chosen are of specialization:

  • BIPOC Staff Development Program Certificate in Administrative Excellence
  • BIPOC Staff Development Program Certificate in Human Resources Administration
  • BIPOC Staff Development Program Certificate in Supervisory Skills

Additionally, staff who successfully complete the program will be given credit for six months of experience when applying for UW jobs related to their area of specialization.

Register to attend the Oct 19th online launch event, enroll in the online orientation, and find out more information on the BIPOC Staff Development Program website.

UW HR encourages department supervisors to familiarize themselves with this program, attend the launch event, and support their BIPOC employees who wish to enroll.