The institutional changes needed to improve DEIA do not happen without accountability, starting with setting goals and outcome metrics. The DEIA Office created a logic model, which will be available at the site visit, to ensure it can measure progress towards its goals. It uses available data and collects additional data as needed to set the baseline, to monitor progress, and to adjust the plans.
Those with a vested interest (e.g., women, racial/ethnic minorities) and those with institutional power both need to be a part of the process of identifying problems and creating solutions. Our DEIA Steering Committee provides oversight and ensures stakeholder input. The DEIA Office also fosters interactions through town halls, anonymous feedback, surveys, and focus groups of the HDFCCC workforce.
Creating an equitable and inclusive institution requires changing underlying structures. However, while the change is institutional, the outcome should be chosen by the minority person, thus individual-centered. For example, a URM student trainee may want to become a researcher (a “pipeline” outcome), or a CRC, a physician, or a community leader, which are all impactful outcomes.
The plan should create more opportunities and ensure equal access and preparation for diverse staff, trainees, faculty, and leaders.
Structural oppression pits minority groups against each other. Unity means working in ways that elevate all groups. This is partly accomplished by increasing opportunities and partly by addressing structural issues that harm all groups. Unity also helps to address intersectionality (e.g., Black women, disabled Asians, etc.).