Dear College of Health and Human Sciences Family:
The College of Health and Human Sciences is committed to equity, respect, and building a better society – one strengthened by diversity. As always, and especially in an environment of civic unrest and uncertainty, we need to come together as a strong, diverse family.
We are all too familiar with the heavy toll that racial inequities wreak on individuals, families and communities. For instance, COVID-19 and the related economic disruption have a disproportionate impact on communities of color.
I am proud of our faculty and staff who are dedicated to educating tomorrow’s health and human sciences professionals. Much of our teaching/learning, scholarship, and service emphasize vulnerable populations and equity. Whether inequities are related to socio-economic status, gender, race, ethnicity, or other variables, it’s our mission to change policies, conditions, and attitudes for the well being of all.
Regardless of your background, if you are feeling traumatized, unseen, unheard, unsupported, or disengaged, please reach out to me or to any of the myriad resources we are fortunate to have at NIU, including the Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI). People in that office, along with the many trained CODE facilitators across campus, are a resource to us all.
As Dean, I want to affirm to people of color in the College that we are a community and a place where you have allies. I make every effort to ensure that our students, staff, faculty, and alumni feel seen and heard on the issues of equity and respect. I will be listening, learning and asking how I can contribute to positive change.
Wishing you health,
Derryl
Derryl E. Block
Dean
College of Health and Human Sciences