Office of the Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity

Who Are We? Welcome to the web site of the Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice President, who reports to the Senior Vice President and Provost, and works closely with the President. The CDO heads the Office for University Diversity, which is tasked with advocating for equity and diversity issues. The CDO and staff provide active oversight, coordination, and evaluation of work in these areas; track university progress in meeting the goals of the Strategic Plan for Diversity; and encourage and support the efforts of units to achieve their diversity goals.

On this website you will find information about our office, its activities and programs, as well as equity and diversity initiatives on campus and beyond. Thank you for your interest in equity and diversity, and inclusion at the University of Maryland. If we can provide further information, please contact us:

Office of University Diversity
University of Maryland
1127B Main Administration
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.6810
Fax: 301.405.7139
E-mail: carolc@umd.edu

Introducing Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden
Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice President

Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden joined the University on January 3, 2012 as its first Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice President. She is charged with carrying out the University's Strategic Plan for Diversity, Transforming Maryland: Expectations for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. As the University's first CDO, she serves as chief equity officer and primary spokesperson on diversity issues.

Dr. Shorter-Gooden is the former Associate Provost for International-Multicultural Initiatives at Alliant International University, located on six California and three international campuses. She was the first chief diversity officer at Alliant where she was charged with overseeing the implementation of the university's multicultural/international plan, which includes competencies for students, faculty, staff, and administrators. She is credited with developing a policy and plan to increase the diversity of Alliant's faculty; establishing a policy on religious observance that is affirming of the diverse beliefs in the university community; establishing annual themed diversity programming; overseeing a successful Latino/a achievement and retention initiative; and helping to internationalize Alliant's campuses

Click on the thumbnail
for the Strategic Plan for Diversity.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES - SPRING 2012

The Office of University Diversity invites campus units to apply for grants of up to $15,000 for diversity and inclusion initiatives. We seek to encourage and support new pilot projects that address aspects of the University of Maryland’s Strategic Plan for Diversity, Transforming Maryland: Expectations for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. The relevant goals are:

Goal A.2. The university will increase opportunities for leadership training, mentoring, professional growth, and advancement of diverse faculty and staff in all divisions.

Goal B.1. The university will ensure a welcoming and inclusive learning community, workplace, and campus environment.

Goal B.2. The university will develop and implement innovative, cross-cutting programs to improve and enhance the campus climate for diverse students, faculty, staff, and visitors..

Goal C.1. The university will continue to recruit, promote, and work to retain a diverse faculty and staff.

Goal C.2. The university will recruit, retain, and graduate a diverse student body.

Goal D.1. The university will ensure that undergraduate students acquire the knowledge, experience, and cultural competencies necessary to succeed in a multicultural, globally interconnected world.

Goal D.2. Departments and programs will equip graduate students with diversity-related expertise.

Goal D.3. The university will increase faculty capacity to educate students about diversity issues and to develop inclusive learning environments.

Goal F.1. The university will promote academic and co-curricular activities that facilitate positive interactions among students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Goal F.2. The university will increase the number of partnerships and the quality of engagement with the diverse external community.

The deadline for applications is April 2, 2012. The proposed project must be completed by May 31, 2013. Approximately 7 to 10 awards will be made.

Go to the full RFP for more information and to the application if you wish to submit a proposal.