The West Virginia University Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been awarded a total of $15,167 through three “Diversity for Equity” grants to fund programs that increase cultural diversity on campus and promote equal access to higher education opportunities. The grant funds will be used to support the newly established Commission for LGBTQ Equity by contributing $5,000 towards hosting a speaker to address gender identity from a perspective of multiple minority statuses.

The grants will also help fund a new monthly series of discussions called Critical Conversations on Diversity, which addresses important issues related to diversity and equity from a multi-disciplinary perspective. This program will draw mostly from experts within WVU and the surrounding community, but $6,000 will contribute to bringing select outside speakers to complement the program. Lastly, the funding will create student academic credit opportunity for Speakers Bureau Panel presentations in which LGBTQ students and allies conduct interactive academic presentations within classrooms, residence halls and organizations across campus.

“The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is honored to have received these grants from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical Education,” said David M. Fryson, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. “The Commission for LGBTQ Equity is doing crucial work in the expansion of diversity initiatives and the grant for Critical Conversations on Diversity is crucial to moving forward as an institution.”

The Diversity for Equity program is a joint initiative of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education. The program aims to foster campus environments that are inclusive of various generational, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Projects funded through the initiative focus on closing achievement gaps among underrepresented populations and preparing students to live and work in a diverse world.

-WVU-

mc/9/17/14

CONTACT: Melissa Chesanko, Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
melissa.chesanko@mail.wvu.edu

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