Diversity Advisory Council

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The Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) shall take a leadership role, participate in, and have a voice in the development of institutional policies and procedures. DAC will assist in supporting the implementation of the goals identified in the University's strategic plan in order to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Member Roles and Responsibilities

Members-at-Large of the DAC shall consist of designated representatives from constituent schools, shared governance bodies, and central administration of UMB. Each of the seven schools may designate up to two (2) employees (at least one (1) faculty member and one (1) staff member) to serve as members of the DAC.

In addition to the 14 faculty and staff members representing each school, membership will include: at least seven (7) staff members, including central administration; one (1) postdoctoral fellow; based on funds, one (1) Diversity fellow; two (2) members from shared governance bodies (Faculty Senate and Staff Senate); and two (2) students.

Member Responsibilities:

Actively participate in activities and programs of the DAC
Attend at least eight monthly meetings per academic year (which includes no more than two attendances via teleconference and no more than two absences)
Serve on at least one standing committee
Maintain visibility of the work of the DAC among employees of their respective school or organization and the community
Serve as their school, governance bodies, or central administration liaison
Serve as advocates for and champions of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their respective schools, shared governance, and central administration.
Serve as a channel for communicating diversity-related news and information to faculty, staff, and students in their respective school, shared governance, and central administration.
Maintain meaningful dialogues with respective schools, shared governance, or central administration and report concerns at DAC meetings.

Council Members

Patty Alvarez, PHD, MS

Chair, Diversity Advisory Council

Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs

Jeffrey Ash, EdD

Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion
Assistant Professor
School of Nursing

Hadley Bryan

Fifth-Year PhD Candidate, Graduate Program in Life Sciences Human Genetics Program
Lab Technician for Megan Rizzo, PhD

Gregory A. Brightbill, MBA, MEd

Associate Director, Student Leadership and Involvement, Intercultural Leadership and Engagement

Staff Senate Representative

Glenn Canares, DDS, MSD

Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Dentistry,
School of Dentistry

Vanessa Carroll, MS

Special Assistant to the Dean, School of Dentistry

Hershaw Davis Jr., MSN, RN

Clinical Faculty Member, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, School of Nursing

Neijma Celestine-Donnor, MSW ’09

Assistant Dean for Diversity Equity, and Inclusion, School of Social Work

Anna-Marie C. Epps, MS

Administrative program specialist, Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HSHSL), co-chair of the HSHSL’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Eleanor Fleming, PhD, DDS, MPH, FICD

Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, School of Dentistry

Shani Fleming, MSHS, MPH, PA-C

Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School

Paulette Harris-Gross, MS

Senior Community Program Specialist, Office of the President
Ex-Officio

Cheri Hendrix, DHEd, MSBME, PA-C, DFAAPA

Assistant Dean for Physician Assistant Education, Program Director, and Associate Professor, UMB/Anne Arundel Community College Collaborative Physician Assistant Program