Building an Equitable Future

– Mary McLeod Bethune

ON JULY 13, 2022, a statue of Mary McCleod Bethune was erected in the U.S Capitol’s National Statuary Hall, the first Black American to have a state statue there. As McLeod was the daughter of enslaved Africans in the United States and a fierce advocate for civil rights, her statue’s replacement of the statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith carries a readily apparent level of significance, especially to those working in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. McLeod spent her entire life fighting for the educational rights of Black students who were legally excluded from learning alongside white students, and intentionally deprived of the opportunity of an equal education. In this sense, the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune remains relevant to USF as we continually work to ensure that we recruit stellar Black students, along with other talented students from all backgrounds to our campus.

Indeed, at this moment, USF and the rest of our country must move beyond the symbolism and sound bites that too often permeate communication around diversity, equity and inclusion. Our faculty and staff, equipped to facilitate difficult conversations in ways that reflect our commitment to respect and notions of civility, are key partners in the academic enterprise. Among the best, they proactively look to create spaces that are inclusive for all students and all perspectives. Critical exchanges of diverse ideas that are backed with data are key to the transformational power of the university, and this takes a team effort. McLeod’s success at establishing Bethune-Cookman University was linked to her ability not to exclude, but to work across race, gender and class boundaries to ensure that all Americans, and particularly those who had been historically excluded from higher education, had the opportunity for prosperity and success.

Similar to our U.S. legislators’ efforts to recognize transformational leaders such as Mary McLeod Bethune, we, too, seek to recognize those who have actively worked to cultivate inclusive excellence on campus. The newly re-organized Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organized the 2022 Inclusive Excellence Awards to celebrate the tireless efforts of individuals across our campus communities. Our recipients included those who have promoted the success of all community members including racially and ethnically minoritized groups, veterans, persons with disabilities, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and much more.

Our new practices and policies are directed towards the goal that all community members have what they need to thrive. When USF receives “the best that all of us have to give,” then, as a university, we will rise to become the best institution we can be. Our ongoing commitment to embracing our diverse and inclusive community is another reminder to all community members that: “USF begins with US!”

Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman is an associate professor of sociology, interim vice president of institutional equity and senior advisor to the president and provost for diversity and inclusion.

USF magazine is published three times a year by University Communications & Marketing and the USF Alumni Association for alumni, friends and members of the USF community.

Kim Hill, MBA ’18

Vice President and Executive Director Bill McCausland, MBA ’96

USF Content Editor Tom Woolf Design Editor Anne Scott Alumni Content Editor Penny Carnathan ’82

Rhea Law, ’77, President Kiki Caruson, Interim Vice President of USF World Cynthia DeLuca, Vice President of Student Success Eric Eisenberg, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Sidney Fernandes, MS ’00, Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Paige Beles Geers, Acting Chief of Staff Christian Hardigree, Regional Chancellor of USF St. Petersburg campus Kim Hill, MBA ’18, Vice President for University Communications and Marketing Karen A. Holbrook, Regional Chancellor of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, Interim Vice President for Institutional Equity and Senior Advisor to the President and Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Michael Kelly, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Charles Lockwood, MD, Senior Vice President of USF Health Carole Post, Vice President for Facilities and Public Safety Operations Nick Setteducato, Interim Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Angie Sklenka, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Rich Sobieray, Senior Vice President, Financial Strategy and Administrative Services Gerard D. Solis, General Counsel Jay Stroman, Senior Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Affairs Sylvia Wilson Thomas, Interim Vice President for Research Mark Walsh, Vice President for Government Relations

William Weatherford, Chair Michael E. Griffin ’03, Vice Chair Sandra Callahan Michael Carrere N. Rogan Donelly, MBA ’18 Oscar Horton Lauran Monbarren Shilen Patel Fredrick Piccolo Jenifer Jasinski Schneider Melissa Seixas, MA ’96

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