Diversity at Milligan

MERT REPORT
LEADERSHIP TEAM MTG
10.9.20

Present (Zoom): Rich Aubrey, Gwen Ellis, Mark Fox, Theresa Garbe, Lee Harrison, Tony Jones, Ron Kastens, Rebecca Sapp, Kristin Wright, Garland Young

The following updates relate to the goals mentioned in the September 24, 2020, update.

1. INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT report – Lee Harrison
   • Enrollment update: Fall 2020 minority population represents 22% of the undergraduate population, an increase from 19% the last several years. Internationals (non-resident aliens) represent 7% (this has steadily grown from 2% in 2010) of the population and U.S. minorities represent 14% (this has remained relatively steady over past decade).
   • Several faculty, staff, and students participated in ETSU’s Equity & Inclusion Conference Sept. 22-23.
   • Theresa Garbe participated in the CCCU Virtual Immigration Summit Oct. 7-8. We are in discussions with them about a $1,000 grant to possibly host our own campus immigration event next semester. More details to come.
   • Campus communication: MERT and other diversity related announcements and information are now being posted on Milligan Today at https://today.milligan.edu/category/diversity/ and https://www.milligan.edu/diversity/#statements-updates.
   • Lee, Tony Jones, and Brent Nipper met to discuss the process for reporting and addressing racial/ethnic discrimination concerns. The process already exists as part of other policies, but they are working on a clearer process.
   • MERT team has 36 total members: 14 faculty representing each School; 13 staff; and 9 students representing undergraduate, graduate, and seminary. The members are divided into five subgroups that are assigned to work on specific goals from the diversity action plan.
   • MERT met Sept. 21 and subgroups met in the following weeks. The MERT Leadership Team (subgroup leaders) met Oct. 9.

2. GOAH report – Gwen Ellis
   • There are 40 Goah Scholars this fall. They have monthly group meetings plus individual mentor meetings with Gwen.
   • They are required to participate in at least one campus club or organization plus Multicultural Affairs Committee (MCA) and complete 10 hours of off-campus service hours each semester. Gwen has been working to ensure the volunteer sites are practicing COVID-safety protocols.
   • Each Goah also is required to complete one project or event during the year that reflects their role as multicultural ambassadors.

3. ASSESSMENT & TRAINING subgroup report – Theresa Garbe
   • Considered definition of intercultural competence. Suggested that we follow the definition of “global/intercultural fluency” that QEP adopted from NACE8. MERT leadership team and Cabinet will review this definition and offer feedback.
   • Assessments – need to identify what we’re hoping to achieve through our work; how do we define success; what are our training needs; etc. Subgroup identified various assessments currently utilized and also identified the need for a new campus-wide assessment. They are drafting ideas.

4. CURRICULUM subgroup report – Rebecca Sapp
   • First goal is to encourage, train, empower faculty to review their own syllabi and make changes to be more culturally aware and inclusive.
   • Recommend a process that the subgroup models by starting with their own syllabi (review readings, assignments, content, explanation of learning environment and faculty expectations, etc.). Subgroup faculty would then serve as consultants for other areas.

5. STUDENT LIFE subgroup report – Tony Jones
   • Good turnout and discussions at the two Campus Conversation events: Racial Inclusion, Sept. 21, and Politics, Oct. 5.
   • Small groups on Biblical Views on Race have started and are going well.
   • Fall chapel series includes several speakers of color.
   • RA’s are hosing a prayer vigil for racial reconciliation and unity for our nation on Oct. 21.
   • Identifying events and opportunities for annual recognitions and activities.
   • Identifying ways to use social media to celebrate appropriate ethnic diversity holidays.
   • Compiling list of potential common reading ideas. 

6. EMPLOYEE HIRING subgroup report – Ron Kastens
   • Need to increase the number of minority candidates in our employment searches.
   • Recommend developing a search process that helps identify how and where to post open positions that might result in more minority candidates.

7. STUDENT RECRUITMENT subgroup report – Kristin Wright
   • Group meeting soon and will report at next meeting.

Dear Milligan community,

We are reminded this week of how essential the work of racial reconciliation is. It is our desire as an institution to do better to equip our community to end racism and treat every person with respect, dignity, and love.

Over the summer, we had a work group develop a diversity action plan based on recommendations from the Multicultural Education Resource Team (MERT), as well as feedback from alumni, students, and faculty. Some of those items are being implemented this fall and some will take more time as we focus on long-term improvement. Our priority goals include:

1. ASSESSMENT & TRAINING/EDUCATION: Use various tools and methods to assess the multiethnic diversity climate at Milligan to determine how best to create a healthy, diverse learning environment.
2. CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT: Develop campus-wide opportunities that encourage interaction and dialogue promoting racial diversity and harmony.
3. GOAH PROGRAM: Support and honor students from culturally diverse backgrounds who promote the development of a multicultural learning community and grow intellectually, spiritually, socially, culturally, and creatively by embracing this task.
4. CURRICULUM: Help transform the curriculum to reflect greater multiethnic diversity and promote intercultural competency in student learning.
5. STUDENT LIFE: Develop opportunities for cross-cultural engagement and other experiences that promote and develop intercultural competence.
6. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Engage community leaders of color to assist us in developing a multicultural learning community.
7. MINORITY EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT: Increase the recruitment of faculty and staff of color who can help create a cultural climate that celebrates cross-cultural engagement.
8. STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: Promote recruitment and retention of culturally diverse students.

I ask our entire Milligan community to recommit ourselves to an environment of work, study, and life where we listen to others, empathize, walk with, and stand up and speak up for those whose voices are often ignored. We must serve our diverse world in a Christ-like manner.

I want to acknowledge and thank those serving on MERT this year. This work is not easy, but it is essential to move us closer to being a better institution that embraces the beauty and diversity of God’s creation.

Leadership Team:
Lee Harrison, VP for Marketing & Enrollment
Garland Young, VP for Academic Affairs & Dean
Mark Fox, VP for Student Development & Athletics
Theresa Garbe, Director of Alumni Relations & Development
Gwen Ellis, Director of Multicultural Engagement
Rich Aubrey, Campus Minister
Tony Jones, Dean of Students
Ron Kastens, Director of Ministry Leadership Program
Rebecca Sapp, School of Social Sciences & Education
Kristin Wright, Director of Admissions

Faculty:
Michael Blouin – School of Arts & Humanities
Kip Elolia – School of Bible & Ministry
Phil Kenneson – School of Bible & Ministry
Jason Bembry – School of Bible & Ministry
Namyoun Choi – Greene School of Business & Technology
Kristal Dove – Greene School of Business & Technology
John Paul Abner – School of Sciences & Allied Health
Brian Eisenback – School of Sciences & Allied Health
Amy Edmonds – School of Social Sciences & Education
Lori Mills – School of Social Sciences & Education
Shauna Nefos-Webb – School of Social Sciences & Education
Joy Drinnon – School of Social Sciences & Education

Staff:
Keila Lau-Lopez, Graphic Designer
Leslie Bean, HR Director
Beth Anderson, Director of Center for Calling & Career Development
Kylie Russell, Women’s Basketball Coach

Students:
Cara Blanton, SGA Student Representative
Alexandra Reynoso, Goah Scholars President
Jasmine Guerrero, Multicultural Affairs President
Shanteal Davis, Student-Athlete Representative
Luis de la Torre Gonzalez, International Student Representative
Janet Galante, ECS Student Representative
Thameena Giturwa, ECS Student Representative
Stephen Goodwin, ECS Student Representative
Sarah Masih, GPS Student Representative

Thank you,

President Greer

Dear Milligan community,

During a prayer service for racial reconciliation earlier this summer, President Greer called upon the Milligan University community to be one that resolves to influence the world in bigger ways that bring justice, reconciliation, understanding, and most of all, love for one another.  He then asked a number of us to serve on a work group focused on specific actions that move us closer to being a better institution that embraces the beauty and diversity of God’s creation.

Our group started by reviewing the recommendations from the Multicultural Education Resource Team (MERT) to develop an action plan, with some items that can be implemented quickly. Some items will take more time as we focus on long-term improvement. Along the way, we spent considerable time listening and learning – from authors, from speakers, from students, from alumni, and from each other.

A few highlights to watch for this fall include:

• Small Groups: Campus Ministry will offer student-led small groups in a six-part study based on Dr. Tony Evans’ book called Oneness Embraced. The themes of the study are Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We Are Stronger Together. For each session, students will view a video of Dr. Evans’ teaching and then share in Bible reading and discussion designed to enhance unity in God’s kingdom.
• Chapel: Chapel will be a bit different this fall due to the COVID situation (details coming soon), but moving forward we are being more intentional about scheduling people of color as chapel speakers, and as other participants in leading our worship gatherings (musicians, hosts, readers, etc.).
• Campus Conversations: We are launching a series of events to bring our whole campus community together to learn about, explore, and discuss issues that directly affect the lives of those in our community, and to provide a safe place where conversation can occur and diverse viewpoints can be shared and considered. Our first Campus Conversation will address racial justice, led by Campus Minister Rich Aubrey.
• Intercultural Competence Training: We’ll be facilitating conversations, resources, and workshops to help faculty, staff, and student leaders understand diversity and intercultural competence and how to manage interpersonal conflict during difficult conversations related to cultural competence, racial disparities, and inequities.
• Community Engagement: We are partnering with some local organizations, including Johnson City’s Langston Centre, on service and educational opportunities. We are also reviving the external Diversity Advisory Council, a group of local community leaders whose cultural knowledge and diverse experiences will assist us in our attempt to create a healthy multicultural learning community.
• Campus Environment: We’ll be providing more frequent and visible communication about Milligan’s multicultural diversity efforts. We’ll also communicate a clearer process for reporting discrimination, as well as clarify spaces where underrepresented individuals can voice concerns as we work toward making the entire campus a safe and welcoming place for people of color.
• Multicultural Education Resource Team (MERT): We are revising the structure, purpose, and goals for this group to improve the ways they can champion and lead multicultural diversity initiatives on campus. If you previously served on this group or have requested to serve, you’ll be hearing from us soon!
• Recruitment & Employment: We’ll be digging deeper into how we can better recruit and retain faculty, staff, and students of color.

We invite ideas and feedback to be submitted to any of us. We approach this work with a desire for open and supportive dialogue as we learn, listen, and act.

Thank you,

Rich Aubrey, Campus Minister
Gwen Ellis, Director of Multicultural Engagement
Mark Fox, VP for Student Development and Athletics
Theresa Garbe, Director of Alumni Relations and Development
Lee Harrison, VP for Marketing and Enrollment
Tony Jones, Dean of Students
Ron Kastens, Director of Ministry Leadership Program
Rebecca Sapp, Professor of Counseling; Director of the Counseling Center
Garland Young, VP for Academic Affairs and Dean

Dear Milligan community,

We are thankful for the community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who care deeply about Milligan and how we can better respond to racial tensions and foster racial reconciliation. The petition circulating on social media promoting this important work is an example of that concern. The MultiEthnic Resource Team (MERT) identified many of the strategies recommended in the petition, and our summer work group that I announced on June 19 is working on specific actions that move us closer to being a better institution as quickly as possible.

Many of these items will be addressed in an upcoming progress report. You can find our recent statements explaining our commitment and efforts to intensify our work in this area at www.milligan.edu/diversity. We encourage you to review and share this information.

We invite ideas and feedback to be submitted to Lee Harrison, who leads this work. We approach this work with a desire for open and supportive dialogue as we learn, listen, and act.

Thank you,
Bill Greer, President

Dear Milligan Community,

As we previously shared, we believe that Milligan can do better to equip our community to listen to others, to empathize, to walk with, and to stand up, and to speak up for those whose voices are often ignored.

Below is a message from our Goah Scholars Program that Milligan stands behind. I encourage you to read it and join in praying for peace and equality in our nation and on our campus. We also ask you to join us in action.

This past year, our Multi-Ethnic Resource Team (MERT) of faculty, staff, and students worked on recommendations for ways Milligan can do better. While this group’s work was halted by the closing of campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to these efforts is not halted.

We have tasked a work group to assist the administration this summer in developing an action plan for specific strategies and tactics that help Milligan in our work of promoting justice, reconciliation, understanding, and most of all, love for one another (read about our institutional goals at www.milligan.edu/diversity). This group includes:

• Lee Harrison, VP for Marketing & Enrollment
• Garland Young, VP for Academic Affairs
• Mark Fox, VP for Athletics and Student Development
• Gwen Ellis, Director of Multicultural Engagement
• Rich Aubrey, Campus Minister
• Ron Kastens, Director of Ministry Leadership Program
• Tony Jones, Dean of Students
• Rebecca Sapp, Director of the MS in Counseling Program; Director of Counseling Center

This group will start by reviewing the recommendations from the Multi-Ethnic Resource Team (MERT) and developing an action plan that can be implemented as quickly and as judicially as possible. This group will seek the input and feedback from our students, faculty, and staff along the way.

This work requires tenacity and collaboration. As our Goah Scholars remind us below, please join us in our commitment to listen, learn, and serve.

President Greer

……………

Milligan University
Goah Scholars Diversity Program

On behalf of the Goah Scholars Diversity Program, we feel we must address the current racial tensions in our country.  As Goah Scholars, one of our roles is to be cultural ambassadors while also becoming servant-leaders to our fellow students and community.

As we all know it has been a season of great loss and hardship. Now more than ever it is apparent that we must stand with the Black community. We want to empower the voices of our minority students, especially those that have been oppressed.

The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other innocent African Americans has created a movement all across the United States, and the Goah Scholars will not remain silent on this issue. We see the struggle that the Black community faces every day, and although we have not all experienced this racism personally, we will not be bystanders.

We are committed to making Milligan University a place where all voices are heard and valued regardless of skin color. As Goah Scholars, it is our joy to stand with the Black community in this fight for justice and equality.

In Galatians 3:28, we are reminded “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus,” and we must love one another just as He has loved us.

We will continue to stand with the Black community even if our nation pushes this issue aside, and it no longer appears in the headlines.  We call on the rest of the Milligan community to rally behind them as well.  As this injustice continues, we pray for peace and equality in our nation and on our campus.

Our support does not just end on Milligan’s campus, but extends internationally to all Milligan students worldwide. As prayers and vigils are important in helping unite the spirit of our fellow Americans in pain, we also want to encourage everyone to put that prayer into a form of action and charity.

As you return to campus, please join us in our commitment to listen, learn and serve.  Please support our Goah-sponsored events as we strive for a more unified campus environment.  If there are other specific ways you would like to see Milligan make a change or show support, please feel free to email us or contact us through social media.

Thank you.

Alexandra Reynoso, President, areynoso@my.milligan.edu
Aamir Bullitt, Vice President, adbullitt@my.milligan.edu
Mallory Fehl, Junior Class, mafehl@my.milligan.edu

Dear Milligan community,

This has been a week of reflection and sorrow for the tragic injustices that black people and all people of color continue to face. As Milligan faculty, staff, and students gathered in prayer Sunday evening on the Mary Sword Commons, we prayed that Milligan can do better to equip our community to listen to others, to empathize, to walk with, and to stand up and speak up for those whose voices are often ignored.

I want to be very clear where Milligan stands on racism. It is evil and it will not be tolerated. We recommit ourselves as an institution to our Commitment to All People statement that says, “In faithfulness to the teaching of Scripture, we commit ourselves to honoring and broadening the diversity of our community and to treating every person with respect, dignity, and love. By reflecting the diversity of God’s kingdom, the University bears witness to that kingdom and equips students to serve in a diverse and interdependent world.”

Our Multi-Ethnic Resource Team of faculty, staff, and students began working this past academic year to identify ways that Milligan can better foster a commitment to diversity; create a welcoming university environment; provide training, discussions, and strategies to help faculty, staff, and students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of intercultural competence; better recruit and retain a diverse student body and workforce; and ultimately prepare students to engage a diverse world in a Christ-like manner. In the coming months, we will continue to identify specific actions to step into the problem of racial injustice to work for change. May Milligan University influence the world in bigger ways that bring justice, reconciliation, understanding, and most of all, love for one another.

Today, I call on our community to continue to pray and act. Pray for an end to racism. Pray for justice, reconciliation, and peace. Let us all recommit ourselves to create an environment of work, study, and life where all people of all tribes who have been created by the same God in His image feel loved and accepted.

President Greer

Dear Milligan community,

Today is the last day our beloved institution will be known as Milligan College.  Tomorrow, we begin a new era as Milligan University.

Milligan College was established in 1866, following the turbulence of the Civil War.  Over 150 years later, our transition to Milligan University takes place at a time when, sadly, there are still obvious racial tensions in our nation and world.

May Milligan College’s last day be one in which we continue to pray for unity and peace, grateful for what little we have been able to do, while acknowledging that it is not enough.  And may Milligan University’s first day be one in which we resolve to influence the world in bigger ways that bring justice, reconciliation, understanding, and most of all, love for one another.

We wish to invite you to join us at 6:00pm this evening on campus at the Mary Sword Commons to pray for justice, reconciliation, and peace.  Rich Aubrey, our Campus Minister, and Gwen Ellis, Director of Multicultural Engagement, will lead us in prayer together.  Since the event will be held outside, we anticipate plenty of room for adequate social distancing.

If you can’t join us in person, the event will be streamed on Milligan’s facebook page so you can participate from wherever you are.

Blessings to you and to all members of our community,

Bill Greer