Two female students working together at a table.

What is DEIA?

DIVERSITY: Diversity is all-inclusive and supportive of the proposition that everyone and every group should be valued. It is about understanding these differences and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of our differences.

EQUITY: Equity ensures that individuals are provided the resources they need to have access to the same opportunities as the general population. Equity represents impartiality in such a way to even opportunities for all the people.

INCLUSION/INCLUSIVENESS: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policymaking in a way that shares power.

ACCESSIBILITY: Accessibility is about giving equitable access to everyone along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Adapted and taken from the Columbia SPS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Guide – Columbia University, School of Professional Studies


DEIA @ Manor

The mission of the Manor College DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility) Committee is to promote dignity for all members of the community by cultivating a culture of belonging through programming and outreach initiatives, and the creation and enactment of policies and procedures within our community.

The committee serves in an advisory capacity to collaborate with Executive Leadership for the goal of institutionalizing our DEIA focus for sustained change. Through monthly sessions, we are able to leverage our collaborative efforts to develop and monitor programming, initiatives and policies to support Manor’s inclusive committee.

Committee Members
DEIA Committee Chair: Denise Studevan, Human Resources and Diversity Officer
Allison Mootz, Vice President of Student Affairs – Liaison to Board of Trustees
Anthony Machcinski, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Cherie Crosby-Weeks, PhD, Professor and Program Director of Teacher Education Programs
Elinore Leonards, Title III Program Director/Act 101 Program Director
Mary Sims, Dean, Business, Education, and Professional Studies
Shamika Ford, Director of Residence Life
Tracey White-Peay, Executive Assistant to the President
Snehal Talati, Strategic, Finance
Ayesha McArthur, Ed. D., Director of Professional Development and Instructional Design
Olivia Trotman, Assistant Director of Student Engagement
Sr. Ann Laszok

Subcommittees
Policy and Human Resources Work Group
Student Initiatives and Outreach Work Group
Faculty, Staff, Board Liaison

DEIA Outreach, Programs and Initiatives
Programs
Social Justice Symposium
Women’s History Month Series
Book Club Series

Initiatives
Cultural Competence Series


Manor College Mission Statement

Manor College believes that personalized education in the Judeo-Christian tradition generates a commitment to a peaceful world, which inspires confidence in the present and hope for the future. Manor’s Basilian environment enables students to fully develop as individuals and instills an understanding of scientific, humanistic and ethical principles so students form a global vision. Manor also believes that graduation begins a new chapter of lifelong learning.

By maintaining academic excellence through current, innovative programs and encouraging students to develop a sense of inquiry, their critical thinking, effective communication skills, and by providing opportunities to serve the community, Manor graduates are prepared to serve society effectively and compassionately.

Manor College Solidarity Statement

The Manor College Community is committed to equity for all people of every race and ethnicity, especially those who are oppressed.

We stand for our students, we stand for our faculty and staff, we stand for our alumni, we stand for our supporters and community members, we stand in solidarity with those who never tolerate racism.

This is in our calling, our charism, our history. Who we are as a College community is rooted in the founding principles of St. Basil the Great, who was a true champion for social justice. Among our core values is “respect for the dignity of each person”, and we reaffirm that today. We are committed to a peaceful world which inspires confidence in the present and hope for the future. We plan to continue a dialogue around these issues to build community now and well into the future and work toward the goal of ending racism and injustice.