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A Vision

UNF Leading on Issues of Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion

As president of the faculty at the University of North Florida, I believe that our university should stand for more than being "the jobs school." That identity does nothing to make us unique; rather, every institution of higher education can speak to preparing its students for careers. Uncritically preparing future workers is tantamount to being hegemonic. Instead, I posit that our university can and should seize this historic moment and become a champion for social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Doing so is the right thing to do AND it is good for jobs.

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Changing the Culture at UNF

Efforts to integrate social justice and diversity pedagogies at UNF have included the "Difficult Conversations" series, department- and college-wide book discussions, the integration of select texts into programs of study, and the hiring of a Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion.
 

These efforts are noble and worthwhile, but they are not enough. We need a concerted and ongoing movement to forge social justice into UNF's identity!

Advocating for Change at the Top

Throughout my tenure as president of the UNF faculty--and as a member of the UNF Board of Trustees--I have pushed to move UNF's identity toward one that reflects the values of our faculty and that is represented in the Gandhi statue so prominently displayed on campus.

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We need to pressure the BOT to see that this movement is not temporary but instead reflects what could be a paradigm shift. UNF needs to be leading rather than following.

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