DEI Student Work Group

Under the vision and direction of CLAS's DEI Director Liz Mendez-Shannon, the college launched the CLAS DEI Student Work Group during the 2022-23 academic year to empower a group of our student leaders to drive change and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our college.  

This work group provides students with an outstanding opportunity to develop leadership skills, build community, promote student voices and perspectives, expand their peer network, and interact with collegiate DEI leaders by co-creating an inclusive community.

Eligibility
All College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply for this committee.

Students should possess the following:

  • commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals in the college
  • strong leadership skills, including active listening, organization, and communication
  • desire to work collaboratively with a team
  • vision and/or creativity to develop DEI initiatives that foster community in the college
  • willingness to engage with other students in their department to bring a broader perspective to work group meetings

Term Length
Accepted students will serve a term length of two academic years. If a student would like to serve additional terms, they will need to be renominated by their department.  Students are required to attend a minimum of one work group session each month during the academic year.

Committee Composition
To ensure representation across the disciplines, the work group will be composed of up to five students from each of the following areas, totaling a maximum of 20 students:

  • Arts
  • Humanities
  • Natural and Mathematical Sciences
  • Social Sciences

Nomination Process
To nominate a student, complete this application form and email it to clas@uiowa.edu addressed to Carter Shockey by Friday, September 29, 2023. Please contact Gabbie McDermott (gabriella-mcdermott@uiowa.edu) with questions.

Current Students
Sara Nicole Alvidrez, Theatre Arts

Margaret Huang, Spanish and Portuguese

Jordan Ismaiel, Art and Art History

Julia Ivey, Biology and Psychological and Brain Sciences

Shion Kabasele, Psychological and Brain Sciences

Kefas Lemak, Religious Studies

Savanha Moore, Theatre Arts

Carter Shockey, Health and Human Physiology