"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old,
but on building the new."
- Socrates

2019 Equity and Diversity Conference

The 2019 UNT Equity and Diversity Conference completed its 19th year with a number of additions to the conference:

• In addition to Denton Family Dental Clinic sponsoring the Inclusive Excellence Award given this year to the UNT Office of Outreach, they joined Sally Beauty as a promotional sponsor by donating conference bags and promotional items from their office.
• For the first time all plenary sessions were live streamed and recordings will be available in the UNT Libraries Equity and Diversity Conference collection with past conference materials.
• This was also the first year the Division partnered with the University Union as a one-stop-shop for conference registration using the CVENT management software.



• Peterbilt sponsored the first-ever Corporate-Collegiate Partnership in conjunction with the G. Brint Ryan College of Business and the College of Engineering. This partnership included a panel discussion regarding Peterbilt and the Colleges’ diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as an opportunity for students to network with Peterbilt recruiters for employment opportunities.
• UNT Social began a new tradition by covering the Equity and Diversity Conference, with interviews and insights from conference speakers.
• All external sponsors will receive custom learning and development programs through the Division of Institutional Equity Diversity with their sponsorship packages.



Dr. Jalane Schmidt’s Social Justice Keynote titled, “America This is Not a Drill: Sounding the Alarm Against White Supremacy” was sponsored by Mayhill Hospital Behavioral Health, who offered continuing education units (CEUs) for licensure through the Texas State Board of Psychology and the Texas State Board of Social Work.

Conference speaker Howard J. Ross’s keynote address “Creating Conscious Inclusion” was accompanied by a book signing of his latest book Our Search for Belonging: How the Need for Connection is Tearing Our Culture Apart.

Thanks to everyone who attended the 2019 Equity and Diversity Conference.

Ten lucky registrants will be randomly selected to receive a gift bag from Sally Beauty, our promotional sponsor. It’s not too late to give us your conference feedback, including keynote speaker recommendations for our milestone 20th Equity and Diversity Conference next year!

Complete the 2019 Equity and Diversity Conference evaluation

Climate Survey – Winner of the 2019 Honda!



The Division extended its congratulations to Yaritza Hernandez, the winner of the 2019 Honda Civic LX as a result of her participation in UNT’s Campus Inclusion Climate Survey! Honda of Denton made the official presentation during the lunchtime keynote address at the 2019 Equity and Diversity Conference. Congratulations Yaritza, and thank you for participating in the climate survey!

UNT Professor Featured in TV Episode on Religion



In December 2018, Dr. Pankaj Jain, associate professor in UNT’s Department of Philosophy & Religion, travelled to Nepal at the invitation of the National Geographic Channel. While there, he joined Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman in shooting an episode on Jainism. The episode will be aired on April 9th as part of the series called “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman." The past two seasons of this series on religion are available on Netflix.

We Need Your Help!



The Offices of Equal Opportunity and Dean of Students are conducting a research survey from 2/12/19-3/12/19.

This student survey seeks to gauge the current campus environment to increase our understanding about what we are doing well and where we can improve, specifically related to issues of sexual misconduct.

Students who complete the survey will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win:

• Macbooks (2 winners)
• Parking Permit (1 winner)
• sets of Apple AirPods (5 winners)
• $5 Flex Dollars Certificates (10 winners)

The survey may be completed at unt.edu/ASAP.

Please encourage the students you interact with to participate!

hangOUT



Women's History Month 2019



Count It Up



Jennifer Leitham

Special thanks to Professor Lynn Seaton with UNT Jazz Studies and Brooke Roberson with Black Out Alliance for partnering with the division for the screening of “I Stand Corrected,” the compelling documentary of Jennifer Leitham (pictured left with Gabriela Laconsay), bassist, vocalist, composer, arranger, lyricist, and producer. Jennifer Leitham began her musical career as John Leitham; this movie depicts how her career in the jazz industry was affected by her physical transformation to Jennifer Leitham.

After the screening, guests were able to ask questions about Leitham's experiences and her skills as a jazz artist. Several students from the College of Music were in attendance and Leitham even performed a few numbers to entertain the crowd. Learn more about her career and music at: www.jenniferleitham.com.

Mentorship Makes A Difference
- How It's Helping UNT Students Succeed Spotlight on A Few Good Men

Devin Creer

For the last four years I have been a part of the mentoring organization A Few Good Men (AFGM). Within the organization I have learned a lot, grown a lot and been presented with several opportunities that have opened doors I never knew could be possible or a possibility. Our mentors who founded the organization are each proven in their career fields and are dedicated to giving back to those who are eager to succeed. In the summers of 2017 and 2018, due to my academic success and connection with AFGM, I had the opportunity to intern with Oracle America in Reston, Virginia. During the internship, I developed detailed sales campaigns for Analytics Sales Manager by providing written reports of customers' initiative, risk areas, and dynamics. These provided the Analytics Sales Manager with documentation regarding their customers' business challenges and how to support the customers initiatives. I also had the opportunity to conduct one-on-one trainings with both sales leadership and operations directors. The impact of AFGM throughout my college experience has allowed me to have two full-time job offers from Oracle and IBM 8 months before my graduation date from the University of North Texas. I am pleased to say I will be an IBMer at the conclusion of my college experience!

Jimmy King

In the fall semester of 2017, I was actively looking for an internship to pursue my career goals. By chance, I heard about the organization, A Few Good Men, and my life changed completely. With the help and preparation from my mentors I was able to secure a digital sales internship at IBM, while working at IBM during the summer of 2018. I was placed on the servers and hardware team. I helped create spreadsheets for sales leads to progress an ongoing sale. I even got the opportunity to start a sale and track its progression from the beginning of the sale to the end. I received my full time offer from IBM at the completion of my internship. I am indebted to A Few Good Men because of the tools they've equipped me with. I feel more confident entering corporate America with the knowledge I've gained. I am elated to start my career and further elevate myself.

Joseph Williams

For the last two years I have been a part of the organization, A Few Good Men, whose mentors taught me professionalism, how to secure internships, and promoted growth in all aspects of life. With the help of the organization, I obtained an internship at IBM. Throughout my ten-week internship, I utilized all of the teachings from A Few Good Men. I am pleased to say after working at IBM in the summer, I received a full-time offer with the company! I am proud to say that I am a member of A Few Good Men and I plan to pass on everything I have learned to those students who will come behind me!

Calhoun Middle School Students Visit UNT



For the second year, the Division sponsored a visit to UNT for 8th graders at nearby Calhoun Middle School. On March 1, approximately 100 Calhoun students and accompanying teachers toured the campus, received an orientation from admissions staff and enjoyed lunch at Kerr Dining Hall. Another contingent from Calhoun will be on campus March 6. The college visit is part of UNT’s efforts to encourage middle school students to seriously consider going to college and to attend UNT, in particular.

OIED Calendar of Events

Click the button below to see all the exciting events planned for March:

Calendar

Support Equity & Diversity

We appreciate your financial support of Institutional Equity and Diversity. You may designate your gift to one of the specific areas below:

1. Multicultural Center
2. Pride Alliance
3. VP Equity & Diversity Unrestricted
4. Equity & Diversity Conference