Spring 2013 True Colors - Kent State University

COLORS
TRUE
THE Newsletter of the Division of DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION at Kent State University Spring 2013
CONTENTS
PROGRAM
HIGHLIGHTS.......... 1
MARTIN LUTHER KING
JR. CELEBRATION
Martin Luther King Jr...........1
Vice President.........................2
Women’s Center....................3
Early Detection.....................3
Breast Cancer........................3
History Month......................3
Honor Graduating Seniors...... 4
National TRiO Day.............. 4
January 24, 2013 –
Dr. Carlos Muñoz Jr.
speaking during the
annual Martin Luther
King celebration
in the Kent Student
center ballroom
SPOTLIGHT ON
DIVERSITY............. 5
Inclusive Actions....................5
N.A.S.A. Powwow.................6
Diversity Scorecard................6
COLLABORATIVE
EFFORTS ACROSS
THE UNIVERSITY
................................ 7
UDAC.....................................7
Golf Fundraiser.......................8
CONTACT
INFORMATION....... 8
Kent State was a flurry of activity during the second two weeks of the month. Jan. 15 marked
the second day of Spring 2013 classes and the onset of the 2013 MLK Commemorative Events.
The Black & Brown Dialogue featuring the President’s Ambassador, attorney Jose Feliciano,
kicked off the Kent State MLK-Commemorative Events for 2013. This event centered on dialogue
between the African-American and Latino communities, as it related to King’s legacy, and the key
civil and social justice issues we face today. Other events included the Support & Mentoring Fair
with a special presentation by Emeritus Associate Dean Tim Moore, and Campus Conversations,
The Power of Words, which examined the historical context of spoken and written English of
African-Americans and the evolution of Ebonics.
Dr. Amoeba Gooden led a conversation in the Say What? dialogue series, which focused on the
critical thinking and understanding of how and why what we do and don’t say matters. Traci Easley
Williams was the discussion leader for Kent Reads, where she presented readings from students
relating to student activism. Just 4 A Day was the Annual Day of Service, which engaged Kent State
faculty, staff and students in service to various non-profits in the area. Soup & Substance engaged
Rabbi Lee Moore and the Rev. Ron Fowler in a discussion focusing on the Jewish and African-
American Collaboration during the Civil Rights Era. Jennifer Pozner, noted media critic and
author, presented Project Brainwash, which centered on the damaging efforts of pop culture on
our intellectual and political development. The Student Organization Fair gave students
cont’d on page 8
http://www.kent.edu/diversity/index.cfm
Division of Diversity,
Issue 3. Vol. 2 Equity Spring and 2012 Inclusion 1

FROM THE DESK OF
DR. BROWN
Dear Friends,
Spring is a time of transition: A time to look ahead, but also a time to
reflect on the past and build on the work of those who came before us.
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) welcome this time
of transitioning; from building on the past, connecting to the present,
and working towards a visionary future for diversity. We are aiming for
transformative leadership throughout the university, a value that can
be held by all members of the Kent State family. Through collaborative
efforts we will transform our university into a place of national and
international distinction for inclusive excellence in action.
Spring semester at Kent State offers numerous opportunities for us to
appreciate the diverse heritage we all share. DEI’s areas lead major programming and often connected
to Black History and Women’s History months as well as bringing awareness to sexual assault during
the month of April. Though programming is a cornerstone of the work within DEI, our efforts often
include day-to-day support to students, faculty, staff and community members that work to benefit
the entire Kent State University community.
True Colors, our semi-annual division newsletter, shows how far we have come, as a division and a
university, in our progress for diversity and inclusion. I’m always pleased to reflect on how hard DEI
has worked and how much it has accomplished.
The stories in this issue of True Colors include highlights of academic and outreach activities by the DEI
team, including Native American and women’s events, breast cancer awareness, and activities of I AM, the
Inclusive Actions Movement, a re-imagining and refocusing of the 100 Commitments initiative.
Spring also is a time to celebrate our Upward Bound staff and programs, as we honor our graduating
seniors and wish them well on their journeys to the future. Spring will also include the release of the
division’s Equity Action Plan, our strategic vision and road map for the next five years.
These stories we tell and remember represent building blocks of progress. As a division, we help
assemble a university that embraces diversity work and is a national model of inclusion and equity.
The Kent State community continues to respond to our focused efforts in the pursuit of “inclusive
excellence,” which binds together President Lester A. Lefton’s Excellence in Action agenda.
What we do is important, and I continue to recognize the good work everyone does for Kent State,
its students, faculty and staff. True Colors is one vehicle in which to celebrate our distinctions and
our commonalities. I hope you enjoy this spring edition.
For the DEI staff members and all who work toward inclusive excellence:
Thank you,
Alfreda Brown
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
2 Spring 2013

PROGRAM
HIGHLIGHTS
WOMEN’S CENTER
The Women’s Center is scheduling mammogram
appointments for qualified Kent State employees, spouses
and students on April 10, 11 and 12. Mammograms take
approximately 12 minutes and will be conveniently provided
in Tiffany Breast Care’s mobile mammography unit. The van
will be located on the Kent Campus in front of the Women’s
Center. Each participant’s health insurance will be billed or
participants may self-pay.
EARLY DETECTION IS KEY
Many women with early breast cancer have no symptoms.
It is crucial to get screened before symptoms have a chance
to appear. The most common sign of breast cancer is a new
lump or mass.
Other signs may include:
• Swelling of all or part of the breast
• Skin irritation or dimpling
• Pain in the breast or nipple
• Thickening of the nipple or breast
• Discharge other than breast milk
Marlo Kibler, coordinator of University Benefits for
Kent State, was asymptomatic (no symptoms) and looked
like the picture of health. She didn’t drink or smoke and
maintained an active lifestyle.
“I had an extremely rare form of cancer that is not
typically responsive to traditional treatment methods
such as chemo or radiation. Only because I go to the
doctor every year to get a physical exam was it found,”
says Kibler. “As it turns out, the type of cancer I had is
indigenous to people of color and Greek decent. It
affects less than one percent of the world population.”
Kibler encourages other women to get screened and be
proactive about their health.
COLORS
TRUE
“Today, I am cancer free due to a surgery and I have been
that way almost five years. I make sure I get every screening
and test available to me during my annual physical and
take a proactive approach to my health care.”
BLACK WOMEN AND BREAST CANCER
Although the overall lifetime risk of breast cancer is lower for
black women compared with white women, the death rates
are higher. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed
cancer among black women and in 2010, the Center for
Disease Control (CDC) reported that breast cancer was the
leading cause of cancer death for black women aged 45-64
years. What was most alarming in this CDC report was that
the breast cancer death rate for women aged 45-64 years
was 60 percent higher for black women than white women.
(CDC: National Vital Statistics System: http://www.cdc.
gov/nchs/nvss.htm).
To make the mammogram appointment more inviting, the
Women’s Center will provide a free 10-minute chair massage
for stress reduction and relaxation. The massage will be
provided by Kristin Driscoll, licensed massotherapist and
owner of Songs of the Sidhe Day Spa.
For additional information or to register, call the Women’s
Center at 330-672-9230, Monday through Friday, from 8-5.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH – MARCH 2013
Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination:
Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics
During the month of March, the National Women’s History
Project will highlight the contributions of women in the
fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) and encouraging young women to consider careers
in these fields. Kent State University’s Women’s Center will
focus on the same theme for Women’s History Month with
a variety of events and programs. For the Women’s History
Month schedule of all events, please visit www.kent.edu/
womenscenter.
Spring 2013
3

Students having a fiesta in Spanish class
April 2012 Kent State students on Risman
Plaza for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Fall 2012 – Upward Bound Juniors
The Women’s Center and the KSU Sexual Assault Response
Team have filled the month of April with opportunities for
faculty, staff and students to join together in raising awareness
about the root cause and lasting effects of sexual violence.
Throughout the month, KSU community members will be
able to participate in a dialogue about violence and language,
walk a mile in women’s shoes, listen to the voices of women’s
oppression and see them rise up as well as take back the night.
Educational workshops and presentations are available to
student organizations, university departments and throughout
the year. The Women’s Center offers an extensive list of topics
related to sexual violence. Check out the Program Menu on
the Women’s Center website for more information.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events
April 3 – Say What Dialogue on Language and Sexual Violence
7 PM in the Multicultural Center
April 12 & 13 – Vagina Monologues
7 PM Oscar Ritchie Hall Theater
April 16 – Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
5 PM in Risman Plaza
April 25 – Take Back the Night Rally and March
For more information about each event please visit the
Women’s Center website at www.kent.edu/womenscenter.
UPWARD BOUND TO HONOR
GRADUATING SENIORS
On Saturday, June 1, the Kent State Upward Bound Programs
will host their Fourth Annual Senior Recognition Luncheon
to honor their 2013 graduating seniors. During the luncheon a
student speaker will be selected from each of the three Upward
Bound programs to reflect on their time in the program. Also
established Upward Bound alum will give the keynote address.
The keynote speaker will be announced at a later date.
Previous keynote speakers for this event were: Judge Annalisa
Stubbs-Williams, Dr. Kent Smith and Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm.
The Upward Bound Parent Advisory Council and Kent State
Financial Aid office also will present their annual scholarships
to the Upward Bound Seniors. For more information please
contact the Upward Bound Office at 330-672-2920.
UPWARD BOUND STUDENTS
PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL TRIO DAY
Kent State’s three Upward Bound programs participated
in this year’s National TRiO day, on Saturday, Feb. 23,
joining students and staff members across the country in
commemorative events. National TRiO day highlights the
federal TRiO programs that serve first-generation and lowincome
families. Upward Bound is a pre-college program
designed to work with high school students in grades 9-12
who want to go to college and succeed.
To learn the importance of giving back to others not as
fortunate, The Math/Science Bio-Scholars program dedicated
the day to community service locally. The Classic and Public
Health programs spent the day in Columbus, where they had
the opportunity to visit the State House and be greeted by
several of their congress members or state representatives.
The students also participated in a college tour.
4 Spring 2013

SPOTLIGHT ON
DIVERSITY
January 20, 2013 – Inclusive Actions Movement (I AM)
committee members at the 1st Annual Support &
Mentoring Fair in the KSC. (Pictured from left to
right: Dorothy Bell, Shantee Trudo, Tristyn Clark,
Adam Kumar)
Carmen Roberts
Elsa Barletta Gonzalez
THE INCLUSIVE ACTIONS MOVEMENT
The Inclusive Actions Movement, formerly known as 100
Commitments, has been restructuring and refocusing. “I AM”
is a committee focused on bringing awareness to Kent State’s
diverse events and programming occurring at the main and
regional campuses. This committee provides individuals with
the opportunity to improve their understanding of Kent State’s
diverse culture and encourages them to expand their social
boundaries. Information on events will be released,on a monthly
basis, via the I AM websites (http://www.kent.edu/iam)
(https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveActionsMovement)
(http://twitter.com/KSUInclusiveAM). Events that correspond
with the national diversity calendar will be highlighted.
The Inclusive Actions Movement Committee participates
in five to six events per year including the Kent State
Homecoming Parade, Oxfam Social Issues Banquet, Festival
of Nations, Martin Luther King Jr. Week, and Walk a Mile
in Her Shoes. Also, I AM is developing a fun and exciting
5k race called the KSU Chalk, Walk and Run 5k. During
the race food-grade colored cornstarch will be thrown on to
participants as they pass through stations, each of which will
represent the departments within the Division of Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion. The race is set to occur in the near
future and will be hosted at either the Kent Campus or in
the city of Kent.
This committee is open to all current Kent State students,
faculty and staff. Anyone interested in joining the committee
should contact Chairman Carmen Roberts at
crober48@kent.edu (330-672-2507) or Co-Chair Elsa
Barletta Gonzalez at ebarlett@kent.edu (330-672-8144).
COLORS
TRUE
Spring 2013
5

SPOTLIGHT ON
DIVERSITY
N.A.S.A. POWWOW
Heavy drumming resonated through the Kent Student
Center on Sunday, November 4, 2012, signalling the Kent
State University Native American Student Association’s first
fall intertribal gathering in more than 10 years.
The powwow, held in the Ballroom, featured several singers,
dancers and drummers. Each song was bolstered by one
reverberating drum, which a group of about eight men
played as they sang.
Men and women of all ages danced in a circle around the
drummers. Many of the dancers dressed in traditional tribal
regalia consisting of feathers, furs and fringe. Some dancers
wore bells, while others sported Mohawk headdresses.
Victoria Humphreys, junior communication studies major
and NASA president, said powwows differ depending on the
culture with which they are affiliated. Although Sunday’s
Southern-style powwow seemed small and relaxed, there are
strict rules that must be followed.
“If you’re not wearing regalia, modest dress is important,”
Humphreys said. “You also need to respect the elders. You
aren’t allowed to interrupt them when they’re speaking.”
Patricia Fisher, who follows Lakota Sioux tradition, has been
participating in powwows for decades. Through the years,
she has danced, drummed and sang at different events.
“When it’s in your blood, you go and you have fun,” Fisher
said. “The drum beat is like a heartbeat, the drums get you
fired up — the music goes clear up to God!”
Vendors sold Native American jewelry, dream catchers,
blankets and T-shirts at tables around the Ballroom’s
perimeter.
C.J. Lyons, junior pre-nursing major and NASA vice
president, said he has been participating in powwows
since he was about five years old. Lyons, who drums and
sings, said the songs performed at powwows range from
traditional to contemporary.
Ken Jaworski, a member of the Spokane tribe, used to run
concert-style sound systems for NASA’s yearly powwows in
the late 90s, before the group disappeared on campus for
about 10 years.
“It’s time to get NASA back on track and back on this
campus where it belongs,” Jaworski said.
Logan Steele, a traditional dancer and singer of Cherokee
descent, also used to attend NASA’s powwows each year to show
support for the group. Steele hopes that this powwow will be the
beginning of NASA’s resurgence on the Kent State campus.
Lyons said the group is planning another powwow for the
spring, which he hopes will be even more successful.
“We planned this event in two months … the next powwow
we’ll have more time to plan,” Lyons said. “The powwow we’re
planning for the spring will be twice as big. It will be outside,
so we’re planning for more vendors, food and of course,
dancers and drums.”
To learn more about N.A.S.A. please visit: https://www.
facebook.com/KSU.NASA.
DIVERSITY SCORECARD
The implementation of the diversity scorecard at Kent State
was initiated in 2010 and serves as a central piece to the efforts
of the Division of DEI. The diversity scorecard approach
represents a strategic method for achieving inclusive excellence.
The Kent State diversity scorecard focuses on educational
access, first- and second-year retention and degree completion
for AALANA students as well as access and retention for
AALANA faculty and staff. Indicators regarding faculty tenure
and promotion will be added and tracked by the scorecard
starting in the 2012-2013 academic year.
October 20, 2012 – Native American Student Association
(NASA) prepare for KSU Homecoming Parade
6 Spring 2013

COLLABORATIVE
EFFORTS
ACROSS THE
UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY ACTION
COUNCIL (UDAC)
The members of UDAC consist of Kent State students,
faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines, job
categories and divisional units. All nine Kent State campuses
are represented, and the council meets monthly. Currently,
the council is aiding in the implementation and assessment
of the Five-year Equity Action Plan. The goals of UDAC
are the following: a) Provide support to the Vice President
of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in implementing the
diversity mission and action plan; b) Ensure that divisional
units represented by UDAC members are fully informed
and engaged in diversity development across the university;
c) Certify that the diversity initiatives within divisional units
are aligned with university direction; d) Serve as the highest
leadership council for university-wide diversity matters; and
e) Receive and review diversity progress updates from each
unit’s diversity scorecard. To advance the work of the council,
four subcommittees were created. The following provides a
brief overview of the four subcommittees:
UDAC Education & Scholarship
The UDAC subcommittee on Education & Scholarship
is tasked with five goals to enhance academic excellence
and innovation. Specific efforts have been working with
Graduate Studies to increase the cultural competency
of graduate teaching assistants through scenario-based
workshops and dialogue.
UDAC Access, Recruitment, Retention and Success
The UDAC subcommittee on Access, Recruitment,
Retention and Success is tasked with four goals to ensure
student success. Specific efforts have included focus groups
with AALANA students to better assess their needs and
the development of a sophomore retention initiative.
September 21, 2012 UDAC Conference at Kent State
University – Stark Campus
UDAC Developing and Recognizing Our People
The UDAC subcommittee on Developing and Recognizing
Our People is tasked with nine goals to increase institutional
accountability. Current initiatives include promoting
the Diversity Trail Blazer Award, developing a Diversity
Trainers Bureau in collaboration with Human Resources
and holding the annual UDAC Reception to celebrate
excellence in diversity initiatives and promote continuity
and unity among departments with UDAC membership.
This subcommittee also works directly with Kent State’s
diversity university supplier.
UDAC Institutional Climate, Culture and
Community Relationships
The UDAC subcommittee Institutional Climate,
Culture and Community Relationships is tasked with
four goals to enhance the climate and culture for Kent
State students, faculty, staff and surrounding community.
Specific efforts have included aiding in university’s
climate assessment, cross cultural informational sessions
with academic staff (e.g., advising), and coordinating the
M.A.L.E. Initiative Conference.
COLORS
TRUE
Spring 2013
7

TEE UP FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
The Diversity Advisory Board was developed to support
Kent State’s mission of a holistic view of student success,
ultimately increasing the graduation rate of underrepresented
and underserved students. The board intends to develop and
implement an annual scholarship fundraiser and to build
collaborations to ensure continuous success for students
through degree completion. The board has planned a spring
2013 Golf Fundraising Event: Tee Up for Scholarships.
Please join us for a golf outing to raise scholarship funds for
diverse students who are juniors and seniors in good academic
standing and in need of financial support. The website for the
outing’s registration is: http://www.kent.edu/diversity/golf.
The event will take place at
Windmill Lakes Golf course
on May 20. The golf event
welcomes participation from
Kent State students, staff,
faculty, alumni, administration,
community patrons, and
corporate partners. If you have
any questions, please contact
Dr. Fashaad Crawford at
330-672-8136.
cont’d from page 1 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
an opportunity to learn about and join one of the more than
280 student organizations on campus. The Game of Life was
an interactive inequality simulation used to bring awareness
to the inequalities that exist in our society.
The 11th Annual MLK Celebration culminated with stirring
words from Dr. Carlos Muñoz Jr. our featured speaker for this
year. Dr. Muñoz addressed the issue of the many struggles
facing people of color across the nation. Muñoz has gained
international prominence as a political scientist, historian,
journalist and public intellectual. He is active in the Immigrant
Rights Movement, and is currently working on several new
books, including Diversity and the Challenge for a Multiracial
Democracy in America.
GET IN TOUCH
DR. ALFREDA BROWN
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
330-672-2442
abbrown@kent.edu
DR. FASHAAD CRAWFORD
Associate Vice President for Planning,
Assessment & Research Management
330-672-8136
fcrawfo1@kent.edu
DANA LAWLESS-ANDRIC
Executive Director, DEI
Special Projects & Initiatives
330-672-21980
dlawless@kent.edu
HEATHER ADAMS
Director, Women’s Center
330-672-8394
hadams@kent.edu
SHANA LEE
Director, Student Multicultural Center
330-672-3560
slee@kent.edu
Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
www.kent.edu/diversity
From left: Dana Lawless-Andric, Heather
Adams, Dr. Alfreda Brown, Dr. Fashaad
Crawford, Shana Lee
Kent State University, Kent State and KSU are registered
trademarks and may not be used without permission. 11-0854
COLORS
TRUE
8 Spring 2013
Division of Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion