Title: SFS Dean’s Advisory DEI Council holds its first meeting, discusses plans for the year ahead

Dean Joel Hellman  and Vice Dean for DEI Carla Koppell recently announced their plans to establish a Dean’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Advisory Council to promote these values in the Georgetown community. Kicking off the spring semester, the Advisory Council held its first meeting to plan the DEI efforts for the months ahead.

The meeting was held on January 18, 2023, with representatives from the Dean’s Office, the Faculty Council, the SFS Academic Council, the Graduate Student Council and graduate program student DEI leaders, the SFS Staff Anti-Racism Group, and the SFS Board of Advisors. “We want to make sure we are hearing the right things“which is why it is important to have an inclusive council that represents different stakeholders across our school,” said Dean Hellman.

During the meeting, the council discussed the SFS 5-year strategic DEI plan and brainstormed ideas to advance the community’s commitment to DEI efforts. “We need to realize that a focus on DEI issues needs to be constant and continuing,” said Vice Dean Carla Koppell, “We should incorporate our DEI efforts in every aspect of our community.”  The strategic plan includes changing curricula, collaborating with other institutions, and maintaining a diverse and inclusive student body, staff and faculty at all levels, while advancing the School’s antiracism efforts.

The council, which will gather twice each academic year, will hold its second meeting in April 2023, to assess the accomplishments, improvements, and new areas of focus for the coming academic year. The launch of this Advisory Council will help ensure SFS advances a diverse and inclusive campus climate, while providing tomorrow’s leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to make a global impact.