Associate Professor James Huguley has been named as the Pitt School of Social Work’s inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADDEI) will provide essential leadership and focus to support the school’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a school that is welcoming and respectful of all people, and one that advances equitable, inclusive, antiracist, and socially just aims and practices across the school’s internal-and external-facing activities.
“I’m honored to be able to help facilitate this important work." said Dr. Huguley. "As a school we’ve made a commitment to being a just and antiracist community, and to reflect both internally and outwardly. I am excited to collaborate with our faculty, staff, and students to do the inner- and outer- work necessary in making that vision more and more real everyday.”
In collaboration with the dean, the other associate deans, and academic and student support leaders, the Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion will provide essential leadership and focus to support the school's efforts to cultivate an organizational climate that is welcoming and inclusive. This includes leading the school-level initiatives around anti-racism and anti-oppression, working to assure access and equity in hiring and recruitment, and collaborating to facilitate equity and inclusion in the curriculum and academic endeavors. In the coming year, the ADDEI will focus on a set of responsibilities for this role centered around working with the Inclusion and Diversity Committee (IDC) to lead and assure successful implementation of this year's IDC-developed recommendations that were affirmed at the spring faculty/staff meeting. Points of emphasis include developing and implementing an equity-based reporting and conflict resolution mechanism in the school, continuing the bi-weekly anti-racism learning collective meetings, and leading the transition from monthly anti-racism faculty/staff discussions to once-a-semester retreat sessions.
"I am extremely grateful that Jay has agreed to fill and help shape this critical role” said Dean Betsy Farmer. “Jay's own program of work around equity, inclusion, and justice, his experience within the Center on Race and Social Problems, and his demonstrated leadership within the school in tackling difficult conversations and creating space for important discussions all make him the right person for the critical work that we are doing. I look forward to working with him in this role to expand and sustain our efforts around equity, inclusion, anti-racism to create a truly welcoming and inclusive school.”