Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 5, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 11 W W O M E N I N L E A D E R S H I P F O C U S 202 Brigham St., Northborough, MA • 508-393-2444 For Tee Times: www.juniperhillgc.com Juniper Hill Golf Course Celebrating 90 Years of Golf • Friendly Atmosphere • Two well groomed, established courses • No membership fee • Excellent meeting facilities • 36 Challenging Holes • Top 10 Public Golf Course in Massachusetts • Golf Teaching Center Call us at 508-351-9500 Give the gift of golf Gift certificates for golf, lunch, lessons and equipment are available in the Pro Shop 508-393-2444 Outings & Functions 3 to 300 guests in a variety of settings Shabazz. Shabazz, who is also a WSU history and political science professor, said she is most impactful when she is able to inspire staff and students to appreciate the challenges of unity and deepen shared humanity. at fundamental bond is most effective. "I also had the opportunity to present on the topic of intersectionality [overlapping forms of discrimination, such as racism and classism] in STEM to the National Science Foundation Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate faculty fellows," said Shabazz. Shabazz introduced to campus a three-part book club series called "e Awakening of Malcolm X" – a book about her father's adolescence – at a reading with 60 attendees. Building on momentum Worcester State welcomed its most diverse incoming student class this past fall semester, with 44% transfer and first-year students identifying as African, Latino, Asian, Native American, and/ or Black, Indigenous or People of Color (ALANA/ BIPOC). Half of those students are the first in their families to attend college. "It was much higher than any other year. It's also attributable to WSU being welcoming and inclusive," said Ryan Forsythe, WSU vice president for enrollment. Forsythe credited the growth in ALANA/BIPOC students to changing demographics in the state, as well as the university's efforts through the Office of Multicultural Affairs, among other factors. "Worcester State serves students who are more and more diverse. We no longer insist students be college ready but we do have to have our college be student ready, and meet them where they are," he said. Shabazz said many top universities conduct climate assessment surveys to assess how staff and faculty are experiencing life on campus as a minorities, in terms of pay gaps, promotion opportunities and the like. Shabazz cites the example of e University of Rhode Island, which engaged with a national consulting firm for its institutional climate assessments to survey faculty, staff and students during spring 2021, which set the groundwork for future planning. ose plans include URI diversity initiatives. University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange in August 2021 began a campus-wide strategic planning initiative to create a inclusive people-first culture. "URI will continue to advance the goal to cultivate a sense of community – one university – where all students, faculty, and staff find themselves included and their work valued," said Dave Lavallee, URI assistant director of communications. Worcester State's five points As part of its effort to create an inclusive campus environment, Worcester State University has outlined a five-point action plan to achieve that goal. 1. Classroom context - Incorporate diverse perspectives into the classroom 2. Student engagement - Understand student experiences and concerns through surveys, forums, and formal and informal direct interactions 3. Cross-racial interaction - Design campus programming to enhance the experiences of all students 4. Provide cultural competency training for everyone on campus 5. Have diversity in all hiring processes - Use best practices and equal opportunity goals Source: Worcester State University Ryan Forsythe, WSU vice president for enrollment Dave Lavallee, URI assistant director for communications

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