Government Department Student Diversity Fellowships
Interested in collaborating with Government faculty to address systemic racism and structural inequality in the Government Department? Consider applying to become a Government Department Diversity Fellow. Beginning in 2020, the Diversity Fellows program was established first and foremost to respond to our Black students’ calls to address systemic racism and structural inequality in the United States and around the world, and the Department’s and College’s role in perpetuating these systems of oppression. The Diversity Fellows help to develop action points and benchmarks for fostering change consistent with the mission of the Government Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan and a more general commitment to being agents for equity.
In the past several years, the Diversity Fellows have helped produced the departmental DEI Statement; played a meaningful role in collaborating on the renaming efforts around Chancellors Hall; drafted bylaws that govern the fellows; collaborated in devising survey questions on bias and broader issues of climate in the Government Department; held focus groups with faculty; organized a students-only town hall; met with job candidates visiting campus; devised an event on issues of race and criminal justice accountability; produced a preliminary design for a 1-credit class to contextualize Chancellors Hall and the renaming process; and produced a proposal for diversity and inclusion questions for informal and formal teaching evaluations.
The agenda of the fellows each year is produced in collaboration with faculty and directed by fellows’ interests. The department is interested in more collaboration between faculty and students to improve experiences in and outside of the classroom.
Diversity Fellows should be prepared to make a full-year commitment that includes regular meetings, collaboration with faculty, and the development of events, actions, and benchmarks. This is a significant time commitment, so please assess whether you can devote your time and energy to this important endeavor before applying.
We ask that you provide a list of Government classes you have completed or are currently enrolled in, a 300–500 word essay describing why you are interested in serving as a Diversity Fellow, and provide a copy of your resume. You do not need to be a Government major to be considered.
The application can be found here, and questions can be addressed to [[cmckinney, Professor McKinney]].
Deadline: Typically in late September.
