GREETINGS
From the Chief Diversity & Belonging Officer
I hope all of you are safe and well.
Although these words have become commonplace for many of
us this semester, their significance has not diminished.
As the Division of Diversity and Belonging, we are focused on building a community where all are welcomed, valued, and affirmed. The Division’s identity and mission have become increasingly important as we face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
We work together to support people and ensure BGSU is a place where all belong. This work is always important, but is even more important under difficult circumstances. I want to acknowledge the amazing efforts of the Division of Diversity and Belonging and everyone across our two campuses to rise to this challenge and continue supporting our students, faculty, and staff. I recognize these challenges are ongoing and I want to remind all students, faculty, and staff that the Division of Diversity and Belonging is here to support you.
Please contact us at 419-372-7100 or diversity@bgsu.edu and we encourage you to virtually attend our events and utilize our online resources.
I look forward to the time we can all safely connect together again in person.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Be well.
Jennifer McCary, CDP
Chief Diversity and Belonging Officer
She/her/hers
CENTER FOR WOMEN AND GENDER EQUITY EVENTS
On Thursday, March 5 the CWGE, Marvin Center for Student Leadership, and College Panhellenic Council co-hosted The Women of Distinction Awards which recognized undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, alum, and community members who have with excellence and ingenuity overcome barriers that still exist for women. This year, each Woman of Distinction shared brief remarks about her leadership journey, women who’ve inspired her, or her advice for women working toward gender equity.
Pictured left to right: Marissa Riffle, Katherine Walker, Megan McDonnell, Jennifer Ring, Dr. Lisa Dubose, Dr. Shannon Pelini, MSgt. Jessica Barron 
The 2020 Women of Distinction
MSgt. Jessica Barron
BGSU Air Force ROTC
Jennifer Ring
Division of Diversity and Belonging
Dr. Shannon Pelini
Biological Sciences
Dr. Lisa Dubose
Human Resources
Katherine Walker
AYA Education undergraduate student
Chef Marissa Riffle
BGSU Dining
Megan McDonnell
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
graduate student
WOMEN OF COLOR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Women of color activist-scholars came together at BGSU on March 6 to discuss the contributions women of color have made to leadership, activism, and advocacy in their communities and more broadly. This year featured a panel, moderated by MSgt. Jessica Barron (BGSU Air Force ROTC), and breakout sessions featuring:
Nina Corder
Founder and Managing Director of Women of Toledo
Kendra Smith
Vice President of Community Health for the Great Lakes and
Mid-American Groups at Bon Secours Mercy Health
CURS
At an event in February, The Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, led by Dr. Cordula Mora, presented 8 students with awards recognizing their research efforts. Undergraduate students received these awards from their presentations and posters at the Undergraduate Symposium on Diversity which took place in November. This was the first time this unique collaboration between the Division of Diversity and Belonging and CURS has taken place and we are excited to partner together to recognize undergraduate contributions to research on diversity related issues. Jennifer McCary was the keynote speaker at the event in November
and presented student awards at the event in February. The winning students and their awards are listed below:
Winners of Best Course-Based Poster Presentation Award
Elizabeth Gabbard, Terez Siggers, India Daniels & Mckenzie Pottorf
(Mentor: Hee Soon Lee, social work)
DHS3000: RESEARCH METHODS
FOR THE HUMAN SERVICES
“Eating Disorders at BGSU”
Emily Cross & Lindsay Boelkens
(Mentor: Jeanelle Sears, human services)
SOWK3700: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE III
“Cultural Considerations that should be
Made when Addressing the Opioid
Epidemic in Appalachia”
Winners of Best Individually Mentored Poster Presentation Award
Thomas James
(Mentor: Ewart Skinner, telecommunications)
“B.E.A.T. the ODDS (Black Educated and Tested)”
Kyle Thompson
(Mentor: Steve Demuth, sociology)
“Methodology of Nonprofit Advocacy for
Black People in Columbus, Ohio”
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY OF CELEBRATION PANEL
The International Women’s Day of Celebration Panel seeks to give voice to international women and students on BGSU’s campus and in the community who are not always included in conversations about women’s issues. This year’s event featured a panel with three graduate students presenting on women’s and gender equity issues in their native countries, as well as round table discussions for all participants. This year the CWGE, Graduate Women’s Caucus, International Programs & Partnerships, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsored the event.
BLACK ISSUES CONFERENCE
Bobby Seale addressed the university community on February 27 at the 20th Annual Black Issues Conference. The conference featured workshops and sessions for high school students, college students, and faculty/staff/general public.
MLK KEYNOTE MELISSA HARRIS-PERRY
Melissa Harris-Perry gave this year’s MLK keynote address on February 19. The BTSU Ballroom was full of students, faculty, staff, and guests who enjoyed Harris-Perry’s stories, jokes, and calls to action. Earlier in the day, a number of BGSU students had the opportunity to participate in a workshop/session with Dr. Harris-Perry.
LATINO/A/X ISSUES CONFERENCE
The School of Cultural and Critical Studies, along with the conference planning committee hosted an online version of the Latino/a/x Issues Conference. For two weeks, people were able to tune in for messages from Dr. Susana Peña, and keynote speaker Rubén Angel, as they shared engaging content from the conference. This is the 25th anniversary of the conference which has been postponed to a later date. In the meantime, check out these awesome virtual engagement opportunities.
CENSUS 2020
As the institutional home of belonging, The Division of Diversity and Belonging is excited to be home to the BGSU 2020 Census Project. This is a big initiative for our division university and the City of Bowling Green, and we’re excited to be working on this with so many others to be sure that our community is counted.
For past newsletters, view our archive.
DIVERSITY AND BELONGING
STATEMENT
The BGSU Board of Trustees approved the new Diversity and Belonging Statement at the board meeting in February. This is the first the statement has been updated since 1999 and we are excited to take this next step in our institutional and divisional commitment to diversity and belonging. Please check out the
new statement.
Bowling Green State University values diversity as essential to improving the human condition. Diversity and inclusion immeasurably enriches all that we do to engage, understand, and respect individuals. Within our community, the diversity of identities and life experiences determines how we perceive and contribute to society. We acknowledge that diversity has not always been understood or embraced in our society, yet, at BGSU, we will strive to understand and embrace diversity by breaking down barriers to meaningful participation to ensure that individuals are treated with dignity. As a community, we commit to advance this culture through a comprehensive strategy and diversity plan that focuses on the recruitment, retention, and success of a diverse student body, faculty, staff, and administration.
As a public university for the public good, our bedrock commitment to diversity and belonging requires mutual respect, understanding, and valuing individuals to facilitate a more diverse and inclusive environment so all can belong.
Not In Our Town Peace March
November 6, 2019
Updated: 10/14/2022 03:05PM