IS Diversity
IS Diversity Virtual Library
A place for division members to share books, articles, workshops, videos and more that promote the awareness of diversity.
Many of the books mentioned here are available for self check out at no charge in the Stewart Hall break room.
Diversity Initiatives
Listening Project (Ongoing)
In July 2010, Information Services began participation in a pilot program developed by the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The goal of the project was to built new relationships and bring people together who would not typically talk to each other, with the outcome of better understanding other cultures and improving the climate and success of diversity at Kent State University.
Since the program's launch, activity has included facilitator training for coaches, an orientation meeting for all participants, cluster meetings of participants, and meetings of paired partners.
Dialogues are divided into four phases, answering questions that deal with broad ideas about race, culture and LGBT issues. So far, two groups of close to 80 employees have participated in the program, with more groups to follow.
Learn more about the Listening Project and hear the experiences of past participants by viewing the IS-produced video on the right.
Indians Opening Day (April 2012)
IS employees took a much-needed break to celebrate the Cleveland Indians opening day. We enjoyed popcorn, pretzels and a raffle, with donations going toward future IS events.
Potluck Luncheons (March 2012 and November 2011)
We've held two division-wide luncheons where culturally-diverse foods were prepared and shared by employees. We shared traditional family recipes from places like Poland, Sweden, Philippines, China, India, Hungary, Italy, Mexican and the southern United States. Employees had a great time getting together and partaking in a variety of foods.
Movie Week (February 2012)
Invited the division to watch a movie relating to diversity during their lunch hour. Employees each brought a brown bag lunch and viewed movies that promoted rich discussion, including Slumdog Millionaire.
Giving Tree Project (December 2011)
IS showed its giving spirit during the holiday season by collecting items for community members in need at Safer Futures, Freedom House and Hattie Larlham. Division members chose an item tag (including gloves, blankets, gift cards and more) from one of three trees within Stewart Hall and placed the items by the trees.
Food Drive (October 2011)
The entire division participated in the University Food Drive throughout October 2011. The division was divided into 4 different groups and competed. The winning team had an average collection of 21 items per team member. As a whole, IS collected 691 pounds of non-perishable food and 145 pounds of non-food items, making the initiative a huge success! Items were donated to families in need throughout Portage County.
United Way Campaign (September 2011)
IS formed a United Way subcommittee and held events in support of the university United Way campaign. Events included a Pancake Breakfast and Pumpkin Decorating Contest, with all proceeds benefiting the United Way of Portage County. Members from the division also participated in automatic payroll deduction and volunteered their time at the Kent State football concession stand, with a percentage of proceeds going to the United Way.
Jack and Jill of America, Akron Chapter (March 2010)
Jack and Jill of America, Inc., the Akron chapter, hosted the Mid-Western Region Children's Cluster on Saturday, March 20, at Kent State. Nearly 150 students, parents and volunteers participated in the day-long event, "Journey to Excellence Through Leadership and Service," designed to instill a commitment to leadership and service in children ages six to 12.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. honored Kent State University Vice President for Information Service Edward G. Mahon, and the Information Systems Diversity Team as part of the event for their efforts in making the conference a success. More than a dozen members of the team spent the day facilitating the children's computer needs, helping them create PowerPoint presentations and enhancing their projects.
King-Kennedy Computer Lab Refresh - Social Action Project: Bridging the Digital Divide
The term digital divide refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all. The King-Kennedy Center remains one of the largest social service projects ever created by students. Carol Moore, IS manager for ETDL and KKC board member identified a need at the King-Kennedy for a refresh of the existing PC’s on site. Volunteers from Kent State university arrive King-Kennedy site to recover lab PC’s that were over 10 years old. These machines were replaced with surplus university machines scheduled for recycling.
For more information, see the "Bridging the Digital Divide" presentation (PDF).
Information Services' Commitment to Diversity
In 2006, Kent State released a strategic diversity plan. The goals of the plan included promoting the value of diversity, increasing the number of students and colleagues of color, building tolerance and celebrating the existing diversity across the university’s eight-campus system.
The Information Services’ Diversity Focus Group convened for the first time in April 2008, generally meeting biweekly. Initial meetings have focused on defining the goals of the group, identifying potential resources and meeting with representatives from across the campus for assistance in setting goals and priorities.
The IS Diversity Committee now meets bi-monthly, organizing events and serving as a venue for open discussion. Please contact Wendy Shih, IS Diversity Committee Chair, for more information.
Our Diversity Goals
- To recognize, understand and value cultural diversity within the university and the Division of Information Services;
- To raise awareness of diversity and diversity-related issues within the division, particularly issues of race, gender and disability;
- To create a diversity-friendly and welcome environment in which all employees can contribute fully;
- To help the division define and clearly articulate its expectations for an inclusive and multicultural working environment;
- To encourage staff members within Information Services to participate in diversity initiatives;
- To increase the level of diversity among staff within the division; and
- To serve as a model for diversity action within the university.