ODCE hosts its inaugural AccessAbility SummitThe Office of Diversity and Community Engagement hosted its first AccessAbility Summit. This one-day conference featured fac-ulty from The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s Uni-versity, and Michael Thomas, Director of My Possibilities, who is nationally recognized for his expertise in empowerment and accommodation issues. The conference was devoted to providing advocate and provider perspectives on communication challeng-es involved in seeking and delivering universal solutions for bet-ter accommodations. Desmond Blair, UT Dallas alumnus, provided an in-sightful video that delved into his personal life and described his passion for art. Through this short video clip, the audience was captivated by Blair’s resilience regarding his disability of being born without hands. Blair exemplifies the excellence that can be achieved through perseverance and encouragement. Our expert panelists promoted discussion of design for the broadest possible range of users, called universal design. The panelists provided six distinct perspectives: student, faculty, staff, veteran, advocate and caretaker roles. The focus was on users

SEE ACCESSABILITY SUMMIT, PAGE 4.

T h e O f f i c e o f D i v e r s i t y & C o m m u n i t y E n g a g e m e n tS p r i n g 2 0 1 5

“ D i v e r s i t y c r e a t e s d i m e n s i o n i n t h e w o r l d ”E l i z a b e t h A n n L a w l e s s

MosaicT H E

Desmond BlairUT Dallas Alumnus

The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement strives to accomplish the fulfillment of the UT Dallas commitment to embrace, enhance and celebrate diversity at all levels of the University and our community through the efforts of faculty, staff, students, the executive leadership and community partnerships. UT Dallas aspires to be a leader in promoting diversity to reach the highest lev-els of excellence.

Contact us:

The Office of Diversity andCommunity Engagement,The University of Texas at Dallas,800 W. Campbell Road, AD26,Richardson, TX 75080

Physical Location:Administration Building AD 3.207Phone: (972) 883-4566Fax: (972) 883-4565

Contents

Pg.1 - AccessAbility SummitPg.2 - About UsPg.3 - Faculty DiversityPg.4 - AcessAbility Summit cont.Pg.5 - The Womens CenterPg.6 - Multicultural CenterPg.7 - Community EngagementPg.8 - Upcoming Events

About Us

Dr. George FairVice President for Diversity &

Community EngagementDean, School of

Interdisciplinary Studies

2

Community Engagement Multicultural Center

Galerstein Women’s Center Institutional Diversity Initiatives & ODCE Staff

Dr. Emily TobeyVice Provost for Faculty Development

Associate VP for Diversity & Community Engagement

Arthur GreggAssistant VP for Multicultural Affairs

Director, Multicultural Center

Our Mission:

Faculty Diversity

UT Dallas has a way of drawing unique, innovative, and caring individuals to its campus. Orlando Auciello, a recent addition to the Materials Science faculty was recognized for one of 2013’s top inventions. Auciello’s research fostered the development of ultrananocrystal-line diamond (UNCD) coating that is used on the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System and other biomedical de-vices. The system restores site for individuals who have genetically induced photoreceptor degeneration. It does this by a camera on a pair of glasses that sends a sig-nal to a silicon microchip (coated with the UNCD) im-planted in the eye, which then sends a pulse to stimulate first the bipolar and then the ganglion visual cells, and other brain regions involved in vision, resulting in the ability to discern shapes and light. The UNCD ensures that the chip does not incur damage in the eye’s fluid. The research for this was conducted during Auciello’s time working at Argonne National Laboratory, prior to his move to UT Dallas.

Auciello believes one of the most important things he has done is helping these individuals recover vision. He feels that this difference for others is the imperative por-tion of research. In fact, the reason for his interest in UT Dallas includes the connection to research with UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas Instruments, and other regional areas where he believes essential research for the future is taking place. He values the spirit for re-search at UT Dallas.

Numerous students came to Auciello interested in working with him. He is using this as an experimental lead into beginning a business-research collaboration class or program at UT Dallas, bringing science into the business fields. STEM fields often involve research at national laboratories or academic institutions. He feels that the future of science is in small business, and hopes to encourage business people into science. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is a program that offers grants to beginning science businesses in phases. Phase one offers a six-month grant of $150,000, and phase two offers grants of $2 million to $3 million, for two to three years. Auciello states that he hopes these incentives and programs trying to merge science and business might increase the number of businesses involved in innovative research fields. - Jennifer Kriegel

Inventor and Mentor: New Faculty at UT Dallas

Dr. Orlando AucielloProfessor

Material Science EngineeringDistinguished Chair in Engineering

3

Institutional Diversity Initiatives

Rosie PetersonDirector

Institutional Diversity Initiatives

AccessAbility SummitContinued from page 1.

with disabilities, but with an emphasis on applicability to the general user population.

Dr. Fair, VP of Diversity and Community Engagement, stated “We expect the AccessAbility Summit will increase awareness of how universal design benefits both people with disabilities and any user whose task or en-vironment dictates alternative interaction styles. Through conscious thought and commitment we will be able to take a proactive approach to ensure that our students, staff, faculty and community members with accommodation needs are assisted and encouraged to participate within the UT Dallas community.” - Abigail Zapote

4

Requesting Accommodations at UT Dallas

Students - The Office of Student AccessAbility (OSA) provides:• Academic accommodations for eligible students with a documented physical, mental or sensory disability.• Facilitation of non-academic and environmental accommodations and services.• Resources and referral information, and advocacy support as necessary and appropriate.• Please visit utdallas.edu/studentaccess/ for more information

Faculty & Staff• If you are a faculty or staff member and would like to request an accommodation, please contact the Employee Relations Staff in the Office of Human Resources. You will be contacted regarding the accommodation process. • Please visit utdallas.edu/ada/ for more information.

Job Applicants & Visitors• You are welcome to request an accommodation to attend an event or to be assisted in the employment process. The ADA Coordinator (ADACoordinator@utdallas.edu / 972.883.5331) will contact you to coordinate the necessary arrangements.

Verbiage for event flyers:“The University of Texas at Dallas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University. Students with disabil-ities needing special assistance to attend please call (sponsoring department/organization and phone number). Texas Relay Operation: 1-800-RELAYTX.”

For more information on requesting an accommodation or reporting a barrier please visit utdallas.edu/ada/

Galerstein Women’s CenterWomen’s Center Redefines Success

The Empower & Connect Women Series exists to pro-vide our campus and broader community with tools and confidence for success as well as connect them with re-sources and mentors. The theme this year is “Thrive: Re-defining Success,” based on the book Thrive written by Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group. In her book, Huffing-ton shares how our pursuit of money and power has led to burnout, stress-related illnesses, and loss in the quality of our relationships, family life and careers. Huffington suggests we should move away from money and power as traditional metrics for success and add a third met-ric consisting of four pillars: well-being, wisdom, wonder and giving.

On October 14, 2014, the Women’s Center hosted part I of the series, which focused on wisdom and well-being. The evening kicked off with dinner and conversations fa-cilitated by students, staff, faculty, industry professionals and community members in which a variety of concepts

from the book were discussed. Dr. Carmen Cruz, Assis-tant Director and Director of training at Texas Wom-an’s University Counseling Center walked participants through a series of meditation and relaxation excercies. The event concluded with dessert during which four panelists shared personal stories, thoughts and insight to their own successes and lessons learned along the way. The panel included Dr. Bruce Novak, Dean of the UT Dallas School of Natural Sciences and Math, Dr. Monica Powell, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs for the Jin-dal School of Management, Dr. Gilbert Marez, Director of Public Relations for Cuidado Casero Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Ellen Greenwald, Assistant Director of the UT Dallas Student Counseling Center. Part II of the series, “Thrive: Redefining Success through Wonder and Giving”, will take place on Wednesday, Feb-ruary 4, 2015, 5:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. at the Student Union Galaxy Rooms. Registration is free and now open at http://tinyurl.com/utdthrive2. - Narcely Ruiz

5

Multicultural Center

The MC Celebrates

6

Native American & Hispanic Heritage

As we said goodbye to our highly esteemed colleague, Dr. Netreia McNulty, the Multicultural Center was on the lookout for a candidate to take her posi-tion. And with a new year comes new beginnings. We are happy to introduce Monica Williamson as the Multicultural Center’s newest Student Develop-ment Specialist.

Williamson’s role focuses on student retention within the department’s schol-arship recipients, aptly named the Diversity Scholars. Like many of our Di-versity Scholars, Williamson also had to make a big adjustment to college life when she attended Texas Tech University. One of the biggest challenges she faced was the transition of moving from Dallas to Lubbock. Fortunately, Wil-liamson benefited from a retention program where incoming students were matched with a staff or faculty mentor. This program allowed her to feel at ease at her new school and she eventually went on to graduate in the fall of 2009. Williamson began her journey to UT Dallas as an academic advisor for the Naveen Jindal School of Management.

When the position at the Multicultural Center became available, Monica jumped at the opportunity to serve students just as she had been served at her alma mater. She is now responsible for advising 31 Diversity Scholars along with various student organizations. The students are required to meet Monica on a monthly basis, four times a semester. She loves that she can help students academically but also socially with relationships on campus, leadership positions and other issues that trouble every college student. She finally feels completely immersed within the UT Dallas community and we couldn’t be happier to have her as part of our team. - Abigail Zapote

Welcome the Year With Our Newest Staff Member

Monica WilliamsonStudent Development Specialist

Multicultural Center

Community Engagement

Choosing the right college can be a stressful activity especially for first-generation college students. On October 22, the Department of Community Engage-ment hosted the annual Minority Scholars’ Symposium for more than 187 high school juniors and 20 counselors from eight high schools in Dallas and Richardson ISDs. The goal of the program is to showcase the University to underrepresented, high-potential students. UT Dallas Di-versity Scholars and students from several multicultural student organizations hosted the high school students.

This year, the program allowed students to choose from a variety of informational workshops or lectures led by fac-ulty and staff on topics including computer science and the Pre-Law program. The students also participated in campus tours and spoke with current UT Dallas students about their experience on campus.

The Department of Community Engagement selected the eight participating high schools because they have college advising centers staffed by UT Dallas undergraduate stu-dents in the G-Force Program. The centers, also known as GO Centers, provide near-peer mentoring to high school seniors. The G-Force mentors will be able to follow-up with the Symposium participants through graduation to help them enroll at UT Dallas or any other higher educa-tion institution.

“Our goal is to ensure that students stay connected to the university after the Minority Scholars’ Symposium ends,”

said Raul Hinojosa Jr., director of community engage-ment. “The program shows them the tremendous oppor-tunities available at UT Dallas.”

For more information about the Symposium or the G-Force Program, contact the department at 972-883-4546 or visit us online at utdallas.edu/community. - Anh Nguyen

Campus Welcomes High School Students to Academic Symposium

7

1/28, 2/25, 3/25, 4/29 Noon - 1 p.m. Arts & Technology Bldg ATC 1.2012/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Student Union SU 1.614/SU 2.5083/5 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The PUB 4/1 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118

INSTITUTIONAL DIVERSITY INITIATIVES Student Diversity Advisory Council Poetry Workshops Poetry Slam Competition Media & The Civil Rights Movement Diversity Awards & Soirée 4/23 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Clark Center CN 1.112

GALERSTEIN WOMEN’S CENTERGender Studies Lecture Series: Lisa Elliot 1/29 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Jonsson Performance Hall JO 2.604Empower & Connect Women’s Series: Thrive, Redefining Success 2/4 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602Safe Zone Ally Training 2/13 Noon - 5 p.m. Faculty Dining Hall SU 2.905Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2/26 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Women’s Center SSB 4.300iWeek: Henna with International Center 4/2 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Women’s Center SSB 4.300Advanced Safe Zone Dialogue 4/2 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Galaxy Room - B SU 2.602Gender Studies Lecture Series: Sarah Richardson 4/9 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118National Day of Silence 4/17 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. SU Plinth -Lavender Graduation (RSVP only) 5/12 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. McDermott Suite MC 4.400

MULTICULTURAL CENTERMLK Jr. Celebration Breakfast 1/22 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Galaxy Rooms Happy Birthday Black History Month 2/3 6 p.m. Visitor’s Center AtriumBlack History Month “Dark Girls” film screening 2/4 7:30 p.m. Jonsson Performance Hall JO 2.604Black History Month “Dear White People” film screening 2/12 7:30 p.m. Clark Center CN 1.112Meteor Theater: Get on Up 2/13 8 p.m. Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118SUAAB Variety Showcase: Godfrey 2/17 8 p.m. Clark Center CN 1.112Black History Month Social Supper 2/19 6 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602Black History Month Africa Night 2/21 7 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602Black History Month The Big Dinner 2/25 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602Lunar New Year Celebration 2/26 TBD Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602Diversity Dialogues 3/3 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. McDermott Suites MC 4.4European Heritage Celebration 3/11 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602Harambee Dinner & Awards 4/26 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602Cinco De Mayo Recognition 5/1 Noon - 2 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 Hispanic Leadership Banquet 5/8 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. TBD -

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTAfrican American Male Academic Bowl 1/31 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118Financial Aid Super Saturday 2/21 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Richardson High School*President’s Volunteer Service Awards 3/2 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. FO 2nd Floor AtriumThe Experience 4/11 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. TBD

*For descriptions and updates on events please visit http://utdallas.edu/diversity

SPRING 2015 EVENTS CALENDAR

8