DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Illustration by Beth Khan
STRONGER THAN EVER, STRONGER TOGETHER
D
iversity and inclusion has always been a central part of the tripartite mission of the College of Nursing,
but 2020 was different. We witnessed a virus ravage the
entire globe. We witnessed the disproportionate impact the coronavirus had on minority communities, and we
included entertaining activities like a college-wide potluck lunches (before COVID), social justice BINGO, and cultural competency training. Other activities have taken a more thought-provoking tone. One popular initiative to come out of the group is
witnessed police brutality in Black communities. These
the Diversity Openness Talking Series (DOTS), a monthly
events have created a pandemic within a pandemic, but the
meeting where faculty, staff, and students have reflective
silver lining in all this chaos is that it has led to increased
conversations about different articles, topics, or current
engagement, reflection, discussion, and action.
events in a safe space. Some recent topics included the
In an effort to promote a healthy cultural climate within the college, an initiative out of the college's Diversity and Inclusion Council was created in late 2019. The
downtown Charleston, effective allyship, transgender
Diversity and Inclusion Champions
and gender non-conforming patients, educational
of Excellence, or DICE, is a group
gerrymandering, and interracial marriage.
of faculty and staff, whose purpose
Hazelton
killing of George Floyd, the Emanuel movie, the removal of the John C. Calhoun statue from Marion Square in
Another practice that is being used to promote the
is to weave diversity into the day-
infusion of diversity and inclusion practices across all
to-day workflow of the college by
aspects of university business, is the attention to the
supporting diversity initiatives, acting
MUSC Diversity statement at the beginning of every
as a resource, fostering a tolerant and
committee meeting. A similar practice has been adopted
accepting work environment, and
by other colleges in the American Academy of Colleges
promoting training and collaboration
of Nursing with the goal of increasing inclusive thinking
between other MUSC diversity organizations. The DICE group meets monthly and is
and communication. The College of Nursing understands that diversity statements alone will not improve diversity
chaired by Tonya Hazelton, a project coordinator in the
but are a part of a larger strategic plan to ensure a culture
college's research office.
and environment that actualizes the organization's values,
DICE members serve as diversity and inclusion allies for CON faculty and staff. They also carry out initiatives that foster an environment that promotes inclusion, respect, and a safe space. Some of DICE's efforts have 18
LIFELINES
2021
innovation, impact and inclusivity.
