Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit
Year One: Celebrating Progress, Addressing Challenges
November 6-10, 2017

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit, Year One: Celebrating Progress, Addressing Challenges gave campus community members the opportunity to learn about the work completed during the first year on both universitywide and unit-based plans to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. Events included a keynote speaker, an interactive panel and a ceremonial groundbreaking for a campus multicultural center.

Opening Keynote
Claude Steele, a professor of psychology from Stanford University best known for his work on stereotype threat and social identity threat, delivered the summit’s opening keynote address at the Michigan League Ballroom. He discussed the psychological significance of a diverse community and its role in learning.

Trotter Multicultural Center Groundbreaking
During summit week, U-M hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking to officially launch construction of a new, $10 million William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center near the heart of Central Campus. The center will serve students of many cultural identities and is planned to be a home dedicated to celebrating and fostering U-M’s diversity in a way that is inclusive and more visible.

Student Leadership Luncheon
Students leaders gathered to learn about the latest updates on DEI and to provide input on next steps.

Unit Lead Luncheon
DEI unit leads discussed their unit’s progress and challenges at a luncheon.

Poster Session
A poster session featuring DEI initiatives and progress took place in the lobby of Rackham Auditorium.

Community Assembly & Interactive Panel Discussion
A community gathering took place at Rackham Auditorium, where President Mark Schlissel and Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Rob Sellers presented a progress report on the initial year of DEI plan implementation. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion with four U-M Bicentennial Alumni Award recipients who recounted how the university and their social identities shaped their lives, and gave advice to U-M community members advocating for change:

  • Tonya Allen, president and chief operating officer of The Skillman Foundation.
  • Rebecca Alexander, a psychotherapist, author, extreme athlete and disability advocate.
  • Carla Dirlikov Canales, a singer, entrepreneur and arts advocate.
  • Damon A. Williams, chief catalyst for the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership & Social Innovation, and a senior scholar and innovation fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Student DEI Summit
A student-organized summit focused on developing actionable plans to improve campus climate.