Diversity
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING AT MDJ
The School of Media and Journalism’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) is strong and well documented. The School’s efforts on this front are bolstered by the College of Communication and Information’s strong, multi-faceted support as well as the University’s many initiatives. MDJ faculty and staff are engaged in a range of efforts across the School, College, and University and are focused on expanding diversity, inclusiveness and cultural literacy and competency.
We work to serve the entire college community to ensure that everyone feels welcome, has support that fosters success, and is able to develop a strong sense of belonging. We are committed to addressing instances of bias, dismantling structures of oppression, and combating systemic discrimination that disproportionately impacts marginalized communities.
Kent State University defines bias as
“A discriminatory or hurtful act that appears to be motivated, or is perceived by the individual to be motivated all or in part by race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. To be considered an incident, the act is not required to be a crime under any federal, state or local statutes."
To report concerns about bias at the School of Media and Journalism please contact cci@kent.edu. Your report will be confidentially reviewed by a trained official.
SCHOOL OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The Kent State University School of Media and Journalism recognizes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) as core shared values that strengthen our School’s mission to provide a student-centered and ethically driven education for all students.
Like many of the media industries we prepare our students to work in, higher education has not historically welcomed all individuals equally. Our administration, faculty and staff are dedicated to combating structural inequities related to race, ethnicity, class, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, age and ability.
Our School is therefore committed to the following goals:
1. Increase the diversity of full- and part-time faculty to reflect the needs of our student body;
2. Integrate DEI&B across all MDJ curricular areas;
3. Increase a sense of belonging for underrepresented students in MDJ;
4. Measure our success using the School’s strategic diversity plan through Responsible, Assigned, Accountable, Consulted and Informed activities.
Our efforts will be evident in our syllabi, in class content and in the creative and scholarly work of our faculty, staff and students. And we hope you will help us recognize and honor these endeavors. We see this as important, even beyond MDJ, as we prepare our students for their future media and journalism careers.
MDJ’s Diversity and Globalization Committee is a resource to promote ongoing education, awareness and action within the School. Please feel free to contact the committee at mdj@kent.edu with any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns.
COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Kent State University defines diversity as “the presence of difference.” The College of Communication and Information (CCI) affirms that diversity enriches the teaching, study, research and criticism of the principles and practices of communication and information. Further, the faculty, staff and students maintain that communication and information can be understood fully and practiced effectively only when ideas from all people and perspectives are voiced and valued. CCI’s culture intentionally fosters an inclusive environment, and CCI commits itself to being an academic unit in which all individuals feel empowered to participate fully.
Learn more about CCI’s diversity initiatives.
MDJ DIVERSITY PLAN
The School of Media and Journalism maintains its commitment to diversity and inclusion, in part, through the leadership of the School’s Diversity and Globalization Committee and the support of all MDJ faculty and staff in creating, supporting and executing strategic diversity-related initiatives within the School. MDJ’s strong and ongoing collaboration with the CCI Diversity Team and CCI’s Office of Diversity and its director helps support diversity programs and actions throughout the entire College. Read more about MDJ’s Diversity Plan.
DIVERSITY EVENTS AND AWARDS
MDJ’s Diversity and Globalization (D&G) Committee works with the School’s faculty, students and staff, alongside the CCI Diversity Committee, to organize diversity-related events and awards. Here are some highlights:
- Robert McGruder Guest Lecture and Award Series is MDJ’s signature diversity-related event open to the university. Robert McGruder, a School alumnus, was the first African-American editor of the Daily Kent Stater, the first African-American reporter at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and the first African-American president of Associated Press Media Editors. His legacy lives on through a scholarship in his name and the annual award series.
- Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Awards, offered in conjunction with the annual Robert G. McGruder Distinguished Guest Lecture, honors one individual who has demonstrated excellence in diversity and media on a local level.
- MDJ Student Award for Diversity recognizes student work published or broadcast in a Student Media outlet, other professional media outlets such as an internship or a classroom assignment. The Diversity and Globalization committee led MDJ in establishment of the Robert G. McGruder Student Award for Diversity in 2017. With the continued support of Annette McGruder, the School offers two $500 student diversity awards each year.
Learn more about MDJ diversity awards.
MDJ SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS
One of the biggest barriers to the persistence of underrepresented students throughout their college career is lack of financial resources. The School offers financial assistance and incentives geared toward underrepresented populations in order to help them succeed throughout their college careers including the following five scholarships:
- The Roger & Ada Fidler Scholarship in Journalism and Mass Communication Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a full-time Latin American student studying in the School with financial need and who shows demonstrated leadership on campus and in the community.
- The Albert E. Fitzpatrick Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a minority student studying in MDJ with financial need and a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- The Frances B. Murphey Scholarship is awarded to a female MDJ student who is a resident of Stark, Lucas or Carroll County and intends to pursue a career in news. Recipients must have a GPA of 2.75 of higher.
- The Paula Slimak Scholarship in Journalism and Mass Communication is awarded to a non-traditional MDJ student with financial need.
- In 2018, the Devin C. G. Moore Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Moore, a broadcast journalism major who passed away while playing basketball on campus. The annual scholarship goes to an underrepresented minority student pursuing a degree in journalism, with first preference to a student interested in broadcast journalism.
Learn more about MDJ scholarships.
CCI DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
Additional scholarships opportunities are available in the College of Communication and Information, at Kent State University and outside organizations. Students with diverse identities and backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply for all scholarships available to them.