We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Northwest adds diversity positions

Northwest Administration Building.  Photo courtesy Darren Whitley/Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Administration Building. Photo courtesy Darren Whitley/Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University approved adding two new diversity positions.

The University’s Board of Regents unanimously approved at Friday’s regular meeting adding a vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion and a coordinator of diversity and inclusion to help the university’s focus on the issue.

According to university leaders, the move comes after research, analyzing data and conversations with students, faculty, staff and community members. Funding for the positions comes from a combination of reallocated funds and a student culture and climate fee approved by the Board in March.

“We’ve provided programming for years at Northwest Missouri State University, but we’re looking here at infrastructure and really changing the course and maturing in terms of our approaches,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “Our value at Northwest of being interculturally competent is critical to all of this.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Matt Baker presented the proposal to the board. Baker said it’s Northwest’s responsibility to prepare students to live and work in a diverse and rapidly changing environment while appropriately equipping faculty, staff and community members to help deliver the outcome.

Baker said creating a supportive, inclusive environment is critical to Northwest’s long-term viability and students’ ability to be career-ready in an increasingly global society. Baker also said the majority of the population in the United States will be non-white in the next 30 years. Northwest’s domestic non-white population is 15.3 percent.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File