Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity

Mission and Vision

The Office of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (OIED) supports the mission and strategic plan of UTHSC through efforts that cultivate a welcoming and inclusive learning and working environment enabling everyone to thrive.  Accomplished through close collaboration and partnerships with the campus communities in Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, OIED works to create an inclusive community that fosters an understanding and appreciation for diversity among our students, trainees, staff, faculty, and administrators. This is done in part by facilitating meaningful interactions between individuals from diverse cultures, social identities, values, beliefs, perspectives, and experiences. 

Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity addresses experiences across the university around feeling welcomed and valued, evaluates systems and processes that enable opportunities and growth, and shares best practices to attract and retain diverse talent. Inclined by the business case and social responsibility for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity:

• Coordinates, facilitates, and participates in the development and implementation of equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and inclusion, equity, and diversity policies, procedures, and guidelines for UTHSC. 
• Supports diversity and inclusion in UTHSC’s strategic map while leading and collaborating with various campus advisory bodies.  
• Encourages and monitors progress in implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives. 
• Organizes and manages multiple campus wide awards programs addressing diversity and inclusion and social justice.
• Arranges, collaborates on, and participates in a variety of multicultural celebrations. 
• Develops institutional and governmental reports including, but not limited to, the University's Affirmative Action Plans. 
• Prepares and delivers learning opportunities and programming for all campus community members. 
• Investigates and/or coordinates the handling of complaints of discrimination, bias incidents, discriminatory harassment, and grievances associated with accommodation requests (i.e., disability; religious). 
• Coordinates and facilitates UTHSC’s accessibility compliance program.