Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ARD’s commitment to build an inclusive culture and improve team engagement
ARD Clarity: Action Plan for Teaching Clarity in the Workspace
This core set of values is foundational to having a healthy organization, where each ARD team member is inspired to do their very best work. The ARD team lives these values in actions big and small every day.
Alumni Relations and Development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council
The ARD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council exists to address and dismantle inequity throughout ARD and our work. We are committed to building, informing and protecting a community and anti-discriminatory culture where diversity is celebrated, and all people feel empowered. We will succeed by helping to embed more diverse, equitable, and inclusive practices into all facets of ARD’s work, including our engagements through council subcommittees: Alumni & Friends, Climate & Culture, Infrastructure, Recruitment & Retention.
The ARD Approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Communicate & Support
Cascade communication from leadership addressing the importance of creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment
Create a space for:
- Sharing personal journeys and resources to improve awareness of the importance of DE&I
- Host panel discussions with diverse representation to share
perspectives
Begin offering inclusive leadership training sessions
- Leading with Authenticity
- Listening with Empathy
- Bias & Belonging
- Privilege & Allyship
Listen & Learn
Create a council to own DE&I work and function as a key resource to the leadership team and to staff
Broadening communication
- Hosted small group listening sessions across the department
Employee input
- Survey all department staff on DE&I issues
Gathering data
Know where we stand on diversity measures and why (i.e., gather
data on composition of staff, hiring, retention, promotions)
Plan & Act
Utilize feedback from listening sessions, survey and diversity data to build an action plan around racial injustice and other DE&I gaps
Setting goals
- Include specific action we will take to create a more diverse,
equitable and inclusive environment and set DE&I goals
Collaboration
- Co-develop the plan with leadership
Putting into action
Begin executing the plan (currently in development)