INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE What is Inclusive Excellence? Why are we doing Inclusive Excellence? How is IE different than what we’ve done before? Where are we at in the IE planning process? What are the next steps?

W HAT IS INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ? The central premise of Inclusive Excellence holds that UW System colleges and universities need to intentionally integrate their diversity efforts into the core aspects of their institutions—including academic priorities, leadership, quality improvement initiatives, decision making, day-to-day operations, and organizational cultures—in order to maximize their success. Beyond Plan 2008: Next Steps In The UW System’s Work On Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion (2009).

M ANY M EANINGS OF I NCLUSIVE E XCELLENCE  Iterative Planning Process  Institutional Philosophy  End Goal, Outcome  Approach To Diversity That Is Both Top-down & Bottom-up

G OALS OF I NCLUSIVE E XCELLENCE #1: Increase the number of Wisconsin high school graduates from all segments who apply, are accepted, and enroll at UW System institutions. #2: Encourage partnerships that build the educational pipeline by reaching children and their parents at an earlier age. #3: Close the gap in educational achievement by bringing retention and graduates rates for all student segments in line with those of the student body as a whole.

G OALS OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE, CONT. #4: Increase the amount of financial aid available to needy students and reduce their reliance on loans. #5: Increase the number of faculty, academic staff, classified staff and administrators of all segments so that they are represented at UW-Stout in proportion to their current availability in relevant job pools. In addition, work to increase their future availability as potential employees. #6: Foster institutional environments and course development that enhance learning and a respect for inclusiveness. #7: Improve accountability at UW-Stout.

W HY I NCLUSIVE E XCELLENCE ? Legal and Political Dynamics Changing Demographics Emergence of a Postindustrial Knowledge economy Persistent Social Inequities

D EMOGRAPHIC F ACTS 2015, 80% of freshman will be persons of color Since 2000 Hispanics in WI nearly doubled Pew Hispanic Trust lists Wisconsin as “Emerging Hispanic” State. Blacks 5 Times More Likely to be in Prison Blacks and Hispanic High School Drop Out Rate (~50%) Across the sciences, women’s career persistence and mobility after the degree fall well below their doctoral attainment levels.

V ITAL C ONNECTION TO THE E DUCATIONAL P ROCESS Individual Enhanced critical thinking skills Stronger leadership skills Higher rates of educational persistence Institutional More inclusive and diverse course offerings Greater use of student- centered teaching & learning approaches Business Improved problem- solving skills Greater cross- cultural competence Increased ability to attract the best talent available Societal More informed citizenry Greater equity in society Higher levels of civic participation

E SSENTIAL E LEMENTS N EEDED TO A DVANCE IE  Committed, engaged leadership  Campus-wide buy-in and participation  Consistent reflection, assessment, and benchmarking  Re-prioritizing & leveraging of existing resources  Collaboration, cooperation, and compromise  Rethinking our notions of student success and excellence

IE SPHERES OF ACTION IE CulturalRelationalPracticalSituational

T HREE -P RONGED S TRATEGY  Compositional Diversity +  Culture and Climate +  Equity in Outcomes = Inclusive Excellence

W HERE WE ARE IN THE I NCLUSIVE E XCELLENCE P LANNING P ROCESS Generated 4 FOCUS 2015 goal statements, one on Diversity: Develop knowledge, respect and validation of differing values, cultures and beliefs in students, faculty and staff Inclusive Excellence will be one of the ways to achieve this FOCUS 2015 goal statement

DEVELOPMENT OF THE INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ACTION PLAN Progress Report (December) Follow up on any gaps/ issues Year-End Report (May) Update Inclusive Excellence Action Plan (Summer) Updated Action Plan Online (Fall) Stout’s Process: UW System Process: Pre-Planningsubmitted Planningsubmitted ImplementationFall 2010

EXAMPLES OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE IDEAS GENERATED: Recruitment should focus on families, specific high schools, pre-college programs, geographic location Consider universal design Expanded definition of diversity, to include more than ethnic minority status Implement faculty exchange programs Multicultural competency training “Diversity Awareness” week Incorporate diversity into the curriculum

NEXT STEPS Solicit your feedback today via: Discussion with notes on laptop Comment card

HOW WE WILL USE YOUR FEEDBACK Develop a comprehensive list of ideas for Inclusive Excellence The IE steering committee will select items from the list to be included in the IE action plan IE action items will be assigned to various committees and individuals IE progress will be monitored every 6 months IE action plan will be reviewed and updated annually

QUESTIONS? Inclusive Excellence Steering Committee: Julie Furst-Bowe, co-chair Meridith Wentz, co-chair Abel Adekola Lori Anda-Bowen Michelle Killian Richard Tafalla Joan Thomas Lisa Walter