Eriksson COE Diversity Initiatives

We acknowledge that we are guests who are gathering and moving upon the ancestral land
of the Tsalaguwetiyi People, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We give thanks to the larger Cherokee nation and other Native nations for making the presence of this place currently known as Clarksville possible. We acknowledge the legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlements that bring us together here today. We will work towards restorative learning, understanding, and dismantling the truths of colonization that were and are still present in this place, which is an ongoing process. We also acknowledge the capital and infrastructures of this land that were extracted from the nonconsensual work, forced labor, and stolen knowledge and skills of enslaved Africans whose descendants are still awaiting justice. With reverence and respect, we acknowledge the oppressive dynamics that have historically occurred in this place and continue into today, and which make this Strategic Diversity Plan even more relevant and urgent. 

The document that you are reading is a first in the history of Austin Peay State University and the Eriksson College of Education. Never before has a group of dedicated staff and faculty made such a commitment to the issues of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in our College. This commitment is highlighted by the fact that our inaugural Strategic Diversity Plan (SDP) was driven and created by our faculty and staff. However, this document is not a panacea. This document is not perfect. There is no document or report that will solve centuries of injustice and inequality. But this document is a necessary step in moving our College closer to the social justice that our profession and our world demands.

As is the case with nearly every other college of education in the country, we were not moving the needle on these important issues facing the field of education. Then something happened that separated us from other colleges and universities. We collectively came to the conclusion that we could do better when it came to this work. In the summer of 2020, amidst the national conversation around race in America, we decided to take an approach that differed from many colleges across the United States. We decided to act instead of talk. The willingness of our faculty to address these issues and have necessary but difficult conversations has made all the difference. Following a collegewide meeting that summer, we decided to engage in a series of actions that have brought us to the present moment: the creation of an Antiracist Study Group, partnering with the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance (TECA) for an external stakeholder report, naming the first Coordinators of Diversity Initiatives, approving a diversity statement, increasing professional development in DEI, establishing the first BIPOC student group, recruiting more diverse candidates into our programs, and creating the first College Diversity Council. Our faculty and staff leaders have been at the front of this work, changing how these issues are discussed, conceptualized, and addressed in the College. Most importantly, this work has culminated with a living document that has the potential to change the face of our College. This work has been a collective effort, and it is clear that if we get to a better place, it won’t be alone – it will be together. Diversity work is a core part of what we do. In the Eriksson College of Education, this
sentiment is now a reality. I fully endorse and support the work of the Diversity Council and the Strategic Diversity Plan in the Eriksson College of Education.

Prentice T. Chandler, Ph. D.
Dean, Eriksson College of Education
Austin Peay State University
If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
– AFRICAN PROVERB

Greetings!
Serving the Austin Peay State University campus community as theinaugural chief diversity officer is an honor and privilege. In this role,the goal is simple: establish a campus environment where diversity is natural and business as usual. It is not required or meant to cause resentment. Diversity will connect to oneness and fairness, not be a bridge to acrimony. Austin Peay is where we all work together, yet we experience life differently. We hope our campus members, especially our students, have an opportunity to see life from a new perspective and experience a new world they did not see before.

Following a lengthy planning process, the College of Education (COE) has launched its five-year strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), filled with a blueprint for resources and access. This plan signifies a renewed pledge to developing a diverse COE learning community while creating an inclusive and equitable campus environment for all. The College of Education is building on the premise that diversity is an action, inclusivity is cultural, and belonging is a feeling. During the implementation of the plan, there will need to be an understanding that the contributions of students, faculty, and staff will be essential in helping to guide the DEI process towards creative and successful outcomes.

As the demographics of our world become more diverse, institutions of higher learning must
reflect this diversity. The first step we need starts with acknowledging that some change is
necessary. Along with change, significant work has been done so far at Austin Peay State
University; however, much more is to come! With the five-year strategic plan in full force, the
COE will be able to provide resources that better equip students, faculty, and staff with
information that matters and helps to promote transparency in their DEI work.

The COE has made several commitments to make the College a more inclusive, equitable,
and diverse community. Diversity enhances the learning experience for all campus members
by exposing and challenging us to reflect, assess, and value the opinions, experiences, and
practices of others different from ourselves. The College strongly believes that we must
create the best possible educational environment for students whose lives will likely be
significantly changed during their time at Austin Peay State University. As the Chief Diversity
Officer, I fully support the five-year strategic plan. I will continue to be interested in and
partner with the COE as they keep our campus apprised of their progress and their work
aligns and advances these critical DEI efforts across the campus community.

Sincerely,
LaNeeça R. Williams
Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator
Austin Peay State University

 

These four commitments represent the forthcoming efforts of the faculty and staff of the
Eriksson College of Education. To reach the outlined commitments, we will collaborate,
engage stakeholders and community partners, and evaluate our individual and collective
progress. In sum, implementation of this plan will contribute to Austin Peay State University’s
institutional objectives and fulfill the goals of APSU’s Strategic Plan to prepare students to
work and to serve in a global community.