Vision
The Learning Innovation & Lifetime Education (LILE) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Action Group envisions an inclusive learning community where all participants feel welcomed and respected. This group aims to deepen understanding of critical issues and foster appreciation of diverse identities, through open dialogue and application of DEIA in our work. We strive to create an environment where innovation and diversity flourishes.
Mission
To support Duke in achieving its educational mission, we must also continuously strive to maintain a just and equitable community within LILE by addressing systems and structures of privilege within and beyond our organization.
To achieve this mission, our group will:
- Continually enhance our knowledge and understanding of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
- Apply our knowledge of DEIA to our professional working context to foster an inclusive and equitable organizational culture
- Collaborate with and learn from other DEIA groups on campus
- Apply our DEIA knowledge in our work with communities within and beyond Duke’s campus.
Fostering the inclusive, equitable, and diverse community envisioned in our goals requires intentional collaboration to successfully integrate DEIA principles organization-wide. To accomplish this, we must put into practice the goals of Duke’s Academic Strategic Plan by cultivating an inclusive community, culture, and climate. We must also create spaces that facilitate community in our virtual and physical environments. Demonstrating our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles and best practices by actively integrating them into our internal operations is an organizational priority stated in LILE’s Strategic Plan. The DEIA Working Group supports the translation of the aspirations of the strategic plan into authentic actions within LILE.
Activities
Since the group’s inception in 2020, we have worked toward our mission in a number of ways. All LILE staff are invited to attend regularly scheduled DEIA Action Group meetings, where we provide a safe space to discuss both personal and organizational topics related to DEIA. So far, the work of the group has included:
- Opportunities for the professional development and personal growth of LILE staff
- Staff book clubs to encourage deep reflection on selected issues (e.g There, There and Point of Reckoning)
- Resources for internal organizational use (e.g. inclusive hiring practices and inclusive events guides)
- Resources for use by our Duke colleagues (e.g. Inclusive and Equitable Course Design Teaching Guide, the Inclusive Teaching Quick Start Guide, and Accessibility Quick Tips)
- Collaborations with other on-campus groups to learn more about DEIA issues at Duke (i.e. Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation; Black Student Alliance)
Each year, our group is led by two Chairs. The focus of the group’s efforts is determined by these chairs, and driven by the needs and interests of the larger group.
DEIA Fellowship
The DEIA Fellowship supports leaders in their personal DEIA growth, benefiting LILE’s learners, instructors, and internal culture. Catherine Lee-Cates and Jenny Levine are the inaugural DEIA Fellows for 2024-2025.
The fellows receive a $1,000 program budget and a $1,000 stipend each at the end of their fellowship. They will meet quarterly with leadership to align their work with our business goals, and their leadership will be formally recognized as part of their annual professional development goals.