The Future of Faculty Diversity (Part 2): Faculty Retention
SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program Webinar Series
View the webinar recording >
In this webinar, SREB-DSP alumni from across the higher education spectrum discussed the importance of faculty diversity and shared thoughts on how institutions can better retain diverse graduate students and faculty.
Across the country, higher education leaders are championing the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. The calls for social change that came during the summer of 2020 in communities across the country have been amplified and highlighted within higher education institutions. On many campuses, a key component of the conversations is about an issue that has been inadequately addressed – or unaddressed entirely – for far too long: the lack of faculty diversity. In this webinar, SREB-DSP alumni from across the higher education spectrum discussed the importance of faculty diversity and shared thoughts on how institutions can better retain diverse graduate students and faculty.
SPEAKERS:
Veronica G. Martinez Acosta,
Ph.D., is a professor of Biology and director of the Honors
Program at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio,
Texas. She earned a Ph.D. in Zoology from Texas A&M
University in the laboratory of Dr. Mark J. Zoran. She then
completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas
under the direction of Dr. Bing Zang (now Professor of Biological
Sciences, University of Missouri). Dr. Martinez Acosta has
studied systems-level neural plasticity in the annelid
worm, Lumbriculus variegatus and in Drosophila
melanogaster. Her lab continues to study molecular mechanisms
governing neural regeneration and wound healing and the role of
stem cell populations in these regenerative processes. She has
been supported by the National Science Foundation and the
Department of the Army in support of the research she carries out
primarily with undergraduates.
Dr. Martinez Acosta serves has won numerous awards for
university teaching and service and has provided educational and
professional development of faculty in diversity and inclusion at
national meetings. In 2020, Dr. Martinez Acosta was named one of
the 100 Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America by Cell
Mentor. She is a 2005 SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program
graduate. More
about Dr. Martinez Acosta >
Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Ph.D. (he,
him, his) is a higher education scholar-leader currently leading
as the Director for Graduate Student Success within the College
of Education at North Carolina State University. Dr. Jackson
earned both his bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management and
his master’s degree in College Student Development from
Appalachian State University. He earned his doctoral degree in
Educational Leadership, Policy, and Research from Louisiana State
University where he was recognized as a Louisiana Board of
Regents Doctoral Fellow and a proud Southern Region Education
Board Doctoral Fellow. He is a passionate servant-leader inspired
by his work towards student advocacy, success, and
representation. Through service in diversity, inclusion, and
equity, Dr. Jackson continues to dedicate his career towards the
proliferation of an environment of collective success and
anti-racist realities. More about Dr. Jackson
>
Christopher M. Whitt, Ph.D. is
Creighton University’s inaugural Vice Provost for Institutional
Diversity and Inclusion. In In his role, he sets strategic
priorities and leads collaborative efforts to weave progress in
diversity, equity, and inclusion through the university’s
culture. In line with the Catholic Jesuit mission of the
university, Dr. Whitt works to coordinate these from the
perspectives of solidarity and justice by working with every
office, department, and unit across campus as well in engaging in
efforts with community partners. Among his many entrepreneurial
efforts are the collaborative creation of Creighton’s first
National Black Alumni Network, building and leading the
President’s University Inclusive Excellence Council, and
establishing the Union Pacific Diversity Scholars Program.
Dr. Whitt earned his Ph.D in Political Science and his M.A. in
Political Science at the University of Maryland, College Park.
His B.A. in Political Science is from Salisbury University in
Maryland. He is a 2009 SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program
graduate. More
about Dr. Whitt >
