Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Working toward a community that is open, just, and welcoming for all

IHSI strives to create a healthier community and a healthier society. Inherent to this mission is a culture that values people, equity, collaboration, curiousity, and innovation.

Our values

1. People: We prioritize well-being and balance, listening and caring for our communities. We treat individuals as whole people, considering lived experiences and emphasizing understanding.
2. Equity: We work towards a more just, informed, and healthier society by promoting discourse and education on challenging topics and by seeking innovative ways to address inequities.
3. Collaboration: We prioritize building and participating in a diverse and inclusive community that eliminates barriers to meaningful partnership by recognizing the unique talents and strengths that stakeholders from all backgrounds can bring to the table.
4. Curiosity: We approach questions, challenges, and feedback with an open mind and the desire to learn, create, build capacity, and understand new and different perspectives.
5. Innovation: We strive to make an impact on campus, in the community, and beyond. We imagine new possibilities and work to improve the human condition and our collective humanity.

Diversity committee

IHSI's staff-led diversity committee works to define and develop our institute’s commitment to address systemic injustice and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Primary responsibilities of the committee include:

• Advise IHSI leadership and develop plans that increase expectations and accountability for promoting diversity, with measurable outcomes and goals in mind
• Serve as a point of contact for incorporating diversity goals into initiatives, programs, and partnerships
• Develop best practices and help to implement these practices at IHSI
• Communicate with the IHSI team about committee activities and progress
• Serve as diversity representative on every IHSI search committee

The committee hosts discussions, shares resources, and works to engage all staff in creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. They also lead the development and implementation of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Strategic Action Plan.

DEIB Strategic Action Plan

 All IHSI staff members participated in a facilitated Intercultural Development Inventory group training and reflection both as a team and as individuals. The results of this inventory helped to inform IHSI’s DEIB Strategic Action Plan, which includes both internal and external practices.

Structural and professional development support for IHSI employees
To align our internal organizational practices with our core values, IHSI will establish clear and equitable hiring practices, comprehensive employee onboarding procedures, and transparent guidelines for staff evaluation and promotion. The diversity committee will develop guidelines to evaluate how potential hires and staff engage with and integrate DEIB competencies into their work. We will cultivate a positive workplace culture by prioritizing education, capacity building, and continuous professional development opportunities.

Ensuring our values are integrated and visible in our work
The IHSI Diversity Committee will advise on specific value considerations related to IHSI’s strategic planning and goals. The committee will work with IHSI staff and leadership to develop metrics and systems to collect data and maintain accountability throughout the institute. We aim to diversify participation in all of our programs and events and to engage and communicate with all of our partners, stakeholders, and collaborators using DEIB-based approaches.

Education and advocacy
We recognize that systems of oppression and discriminatory practices impact health, health sciences research and innovation, and the development of a compassionate and competent healthcare workforce. The IHSI Diversity Committee strives to promote health equity beyond IHSI through education and advocacy.

Incorporating diversity goals into initiatives, programs, and partnerships

As part of IHSI’s commitment to health equity, IHSI partners with many campus units and invites promotes speakers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. This is evidenced by our line-up of presenters and program participants.

The Community-Academic Scholars program attracts a cohort of students each year that represent diverse backgrounds and academic majors. The program review committee consists of faculty members in various stages of their careers representing several different units on campus. Additionally, the Community Academic Scholars program has partnered with the Office of Public Engagement to host students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Alliance Summer Explorations Program.

The Mayo Clinic & Illinois Alliance manages a pre-selection process for Illinois students for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at Mayo Clinic. The Alliance also manages the Health Equity Research Experience, empowering Illinois students to explore health equity research at Mayo Clinic. IHSI works to integrate elements of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into these programs, including appointing a diverse selection committee, encouraging health equity competencies among participants, and connecting with groups across campus to advertise the program.  

The Community Seminar Series demonstrates IHSI’s commitment to diversity, health equity, and interdisciplinary collaboration by highlighting innovative research and solutions that promote health for a variety of populations. These presentations foster open dialogue and practical solutions from researchers across campus and the broader community.

IHSI research development staff offer education and training, including the Emerging Research Leaders Academy and NIH Grant Writing Series, and proposal development support for investigators from diverse backgrounds. They also collaborate on research projects that promote health equity and social justice, and have partnered with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to provide proposal development support for the Call to Action to Address Racism & Social Injustice Research Program.

The IHSI communications team has developed a digital accessibility resource guide to help foster an inclusive environment for all. These materials help guide our staff, presenters, and collaborators.  IHSI Senior Graphic Designer Kacey Nelson serves as the IHSI Accessibility Liaison.

IHSI Diversity Committee Resources

Each month, the IHSI Diversity Committee shares recommended reading and resources with IHSI staff and our broader community. Curating and sharing these resources gives our team an opportunity to educate ourselves on various topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. As an institute devoted to promoting all forms of health, we share them with the hope that you will find them as useful as we have.