Letter from Vice President Amoaba Gooden

Dear Members of the Kent State Community,

The Division of People, Culture and Belonging (formerly Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is proud to lead the university-wide diversity, equity and inclusion strategic planning process. As shared by President Todd Diacon, this initiative will involve every unit of our eight-campus university system, allowing Kent State to participate in a comprehensive review of our policies, procedures and processes that impact all who live, work and learn at Kent State. Each unit will also develop DEI-related strategic objectives.

We have created a how-to planning guide to assist each department in its planning process. You will review your unit’s mission statement and focus on your policies, procedures and practices in the areas of recruitment; selection and hiring; retention, belonging and climate; promotion and professional development; and DEI expertise and capacity building. Each section of the guide will help you along the way.

The strategic planning process will span four years, providing units one year of planning and three years of goal implementation. Our staff will be here to provide support by offering planning workshops and an online toolkit. We are also available for one-on-one guidance.

This process is a collaborative effort to ensure the climate at Kent State is inclusive and equitable for current and future students, staff and faculty. We are proud of past efforts such as those of the Ad Hoc on Race and the Great Place Initiative committee, and we are looking forward to continued change in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Best,

Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D.

Vice President, People, Culture and Belonging