Fulbright College Debuts Inclusive Excellence Framework That Reaffirms Mission & Values
Following a strategic effort to frame our college priorities in better alignment with our University of Arkansas Chancellor’s vision, peer and aspirant institutions, as well as the American Association of Colleges and University’s best practices, we’re debuting Fulbright College’s new Inclusive Excellence framework.
Inclusive Excellence, also known as IE, is a framework to help Fulbright College’s leadership team, faculty, staff and students achieve our college goals across five categories: Access and Success, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Infrastructure, and Community Engagement and Outreach.
“The ultimate goal is to create an environment of belonging, inclusion, and overall excellence,” said Romona West, the college’s Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives. “This framework is designed to address inclusive efforts as critical to the well-being of our college, and to help us better embody the college’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.”
Kathryn Sloan, Interim Dean of Fulbright College, agreed, adding that “with so many wonderful new leaders joining our campus and college who are bringing their unique, diverse voices, lived experiences, and expertise into the mix, now is an excellent time to update our college’s approaches and adopt the IE framework.”
“So, what does that look like in Fulbright College?” she asked. “Let’s break it down, part by part.”
ACCESS AND SUCCESS
Access and Success refers to objectives and strategies used to provide access and improve Fulbright College’s compositional diversity, reflective of our state, (students, staff, faculty, alumni, visitors, community partners, etc.) as it relates to outcomes and benefits via relationships with our college. This includes activities related to recruitment and retention of our students, faculty, and staff.
What that looks like at Fulbright College:
CLIMATE AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS
Climate and Intergroup Relations refers to the objectives and strategies that enable Fulbright College to create a climate that is supportive and respectful, that values differing perspectives and experiences, and encourages individuals to bring their whole selves to the learning and work environment.
What that looks like at Fulbright College:
EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIP
Education and Scholarship refers to strategies and objectives in Fulbright College related to classrooms, curricula and pedagogies, programs, and processes that promote intercultural awareness and competence and inclusive teaching.
What that looks like at Fulbright College:
INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure refers to objectives and strategies that create a foundational, institutionalized approach to inclusive excellence across research, teaching, service, and student success in Fulbright College.
What that looks like at Fulbright College:
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH
Community Outreach and Engagement refers to the objectives and strategies that Fulbright College promotes to support a stronger community and to provide educational access for all through community partnerships, social well-being, and evidence-based research.
What that looks like at Fulbright College:
FULBRIGHT COLLEGE MISSION AND VALUES
“Overall, the college’s new Inclusive Excellence framework is intended to support, embody and be the daily actions that mean we’re constantly striving to achieve our Fulbright College mission and values,” Sloan said.
“And those remain as solid as ever,” Sloan added.
With the college’s mission being to:
… enrich lives by promoting discovery, diversity, and inclusion, facilitating transformational experiences, and fostering peace through education.
And the college’s values being:
- A Culture of Inclusion and Respect
- Academic Freedom
- All Individuals and Diverse Perspectives
- Discovery, Research, Creativity and Innovation
- Diversity, Civility and Cultural Competence
- Education, Access and Equity
- Educational and Lived Experiences
- International Collaboration
- Teaching and Service
- Transparency
“When we embody this, we all win – our faculty, staff, students, community and beyond,” Sloan said. “And when we embody this, we help create a better future and world for us all.”