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programs. And, they become successful alumni who integrating DEI into every aspect of the university is
want to stay involved and give back.” crucial to prepare students for the future. “An under-
Sloan is one of those students who chose to standing of what it means to interact in a diverse
remain on campus and earn an advanced degree, setting is part of the life skills that are important
with plans for a career in social work. Their time for success in college and eventually in the world
at the university — and the LGBT Resource Center of work. So, for example, we hold a seminar for all
— has been a chance for them to finally be their first-year students in their first semester in which we
authentic self, a story that Sloan says is not unique. teach students explicitly about diversity— including
“I think in transitioning onto campus and living exploring social identities and definitions of various
on campus, that was an opportunity for me to be identities, discussions with Eastern and other com-
authentic in my lived experience and start to really munity experts on topics related to diversity, and
find out more about myself and learn more about the opportunities to discuss these things in groups with
world that I’m in,” they said. “I have a very religious one another. For example, many of our students may DR. JAMES
background, I have a very sheltered background. My never have had to introduce him/her/themself with SMITH,
parents are very protective and I knew for a long their pronouns before, and we think it is important Eastern
time that I held a lot of identities that I didn’t see to explain what that’s all about and why this is Michigan
University
around me. I wasn’t supported at all. Eastern really important.” President . |
delivered on its promise to be that space where I As a new academic year begins, the university COURTESY PHOTO
could refine that part of myself and polish it and it’s is in a strong position under Smith’s leadership.
still proving to be that place.” With his unceasing commitment to creating a place
Eastern Michigan University has multiple success where students, faculty and staff all feel welcome as
stories they credit to prioritizing DEI across all depart- their authentic selves, Smith is looking forward to
ments, programs and goals. Initiatives like the Early another year of opportunity.
College Alliance (ECA) aim to create opportunities “When we build real-life experiences into the
for students from underserved communities to attend work we do, in and outside the classroom, the pos-
and graduate from university. The matriculation rates sibilities are limitless,” he said. “At Eastern Michigan
for Black students are impressive — college gradua- University, we are engaged with the community in
tion rates at the university among Black students in myriad ways. Our students see the theoretical and
the program are 700% higher when compared to Black live the practical. The University has at its core a
high school graduates across Michigan. mission as a university of opportunity. We break,
“As students enter the ECA program from over quite often, the glass ceiling and other barriers to
50 prior educational settings, we know that we success, which allows these experiences to come
need to teach them more than academics,” said ECA together in rather fabulous ways.”
Principal Dr. Ellen Fischer. An out lesbian who built Learn more about Eastern Michigan University at
intersectionality into the program, Fischer believes emich.edu. 

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