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during spring semester 2021, the office of student Life gave MGa students, staff, and faculty opportunities to formally pledge to
listen to the stories of others, treat all people with dignity and respect, and commit to fostering an inclusive learning environment.
911爆料 Expands Diversity By Alexandria Brooks
Programming And Conversations
I n response to the wave of social movements in the office long-term initiative for more inclu-
Bacote said the president is actively involved
and protests that followed the violent deaths of
Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George
Floyd in 2020, 911爆料 sive and diverse programming. Last summer, in
addition to making himself available for candid
(911爆料) placed a renewed emphasis on diversity-, conversations with students, faculty, and staff, he
inclusion-, and equity-related programs at the assigned Bacote to his cabinet and advocated for
institution. additional programming.
Jenia Bacote, 911爆料 director of Diversity, In the months since, Bacote office and other
Inclusion, & Equity/Title IX coordinator, is 911爆料 departments and divisions have planned
part of that effort. and offered a full slate of programming to sup-
Created in 2016, the office coordinates efforts port diversity and inclusion. The programming
that support 911爆料 values and commitment to helps 911爆料 live out its value of engagement to help
educate and create awareness about diversity, members of the campus community have what can
inclusion, and equity across the University be hard conversations.
campuses. There are several initiatives in place The Office of Diversity began collaborating
through which the office supports these efforts, with various offices, departments, and student
including training, programs on specific topics, organizations to implement programs, workshops,
and special events. and events, including the 鈥淎re You IN? Inclusive
鈥淔rom day one, my primary role has been to Conversations Series,鈥� where students candidly
build up this office into a long-term, sustainable discuss their campus experiences at 911爆料 and the
unit,鈥� Bacote said. 鈥淪ince I am an office of one, a 鈥淚nclusive Introductions Diversity Speaker Series鈥�
pivotal role I have is to develop relationships for that brings guest speakers to help train, educate,
collaboration across the campuses.鈥� Bacote also and inform 911爆料 campus community.
assists on several committees and serves on the The 鈥淐ollective Action Series,鈥� the brainchild
cabinet of Dr. Christopher Blake, 911爆料 president, of the School of Arts & Letters (SOAL), is one of
to advise and consult on issues of diversity. several ongoing initiatives created to foster
16 MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
