2021-2022 Symposium Series

2021-2022 President's Symposium Series: Strategic Priorities for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

The 2021-2022 President’s White Paper Project engages students from the schools of dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore on a yearlong research project and conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This year's topic centers on exploring what UMB’s role will be in creating working and learning environments that foster an authentic sense of belonging for students, staff, faculty, and neighbors.


Read this year's White Paper:

2021-2022 The State of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at UMB

 

 

2022 President's Symposium and White Paper Presentation: The State of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at UMB: Leveraging Inclusive Leadership t

Meet this year's President's Fellows

Grace Lee

She/Her/Hers

School of Medicine, MD Program

"I was interested in this year's topic because the focus is on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is an opportunity to not only advocate for marginalized populations but also an opportunity to enact change at UMB. In June of 2020, the fact that social determinants of health including systemic racism and personal bias are public health crises was highlighted nationally and at UMB. As an institution that produces graduate professionals, embodying DEI into the foundation of the University is necessary in order for its students to thrive and continue to advance DEI in the future. This year's topic is an opportunity to be a part of an initiative that will affect me, the community, and will hopefully carry down to positively affect our patients."

Jeremie Oliver

He/His/Him

School of Dentistry, DDS

"My name is Jeremie Oliver and I am a Doctor of Dental Surgery [DDS] candidate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. The topic of this year's White Paper Project really struck home for me, as one of my personal professional goals is to empower and implement targeted initiatives to create novel pipelines of higher education access to marginalized individuals in our communities. I hope to learn, grow, and contribute in meaningful ways to this important work as part of the President's Fellows team."

Julia Scott

She/Her/Hers

School of Social Work, MSW

"My name is Julia Scott, and I am a student at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. This year's topic interested me for multiple reasons, mainly because we are in a critical moment in our country. The past two years have proven that diversity, equity, and inclusion topics are not going away any time soon. Moreover, these issues are not just impacting our families and neighborhoods, but also our educational and professional spheres. By focusing on diversity, we are saying that we don't just want people to learn and work here, but that we want them to bring their whole selves to better the work that we do and to build our community. We are saying that we want our community to reflect the diverse people we serve! The UMB mission is 'to improve the human condition and serve the public good of Maryland and society at-large through education, research, clinical care, and service,' which means we must prioritize building a healthy environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are uplifted and valued."

 

Kaila Noland

She/Her/Hers

Graduate School, Life Sciences in Molecular Medicine

"I was interested in this year's topic as it is difficult to articulate all the areas in which campus climate on diversity plays into the overall experience of UMB students, staff, and faculty at a time in which change in campus climate for diversity is necessary and desperately wanted."

 

Marcella Leath

She/Her/Hers

School of Nursing, DNP

"I pursue the difficult questions. I feel a duty to participate because inaction is passive agreement. Intentional blindness enables the oppressor. I am interested in this year’s topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion because I aim to learn from, lead, and encourage others in acknowledging and exploring the uncomfortable truths of our current society. As a nurse, I have witnessed firsthand the effects of inequity in health care on individuals and communities. I believe that we must know our past to shape a different, more equitable future. I am honored this year to be a President’s Fellow and represent the School of Nursing, which was first desegregated in 1950 by the unassailable Esther McCready."