Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Committed to advancing DeSales' core value of Hospitality to ensure that all of our community members are able to be who they are and be that well.
Our commitment to inclusive excellence means that we will intentionally evaluate policies, practices and procedures to remove barriers that may affect the ability of our student, faculty and staff to be their genuine, authentic selves at DeSales University. To that end, we will:
- Provide opportunities for development and growth in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion for our faculty, staff and students.
- Review recruitment and retention practices for employees and students to attract and retain a diverse and culturally competent community to DeSales University.
- Engage with our students to understand what triumphs and challenges they face to enhance the campus climate for undergraduate, adult education, and graduate students at DeSales.
- Enhance relationships with our alumni, employers and community organizations to assist in our inclusive excellence commitment at the institution.
University Policies on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Inspired by the inclusivity of the Gospel, we at DeSales University are committed to promoting excellence through diversity, equity and inclusion as aligned with Catholic social teaching. We will work intentionally to create inclusive and equitable approaches that support our unique experiences and identities, while being home to a diverse community of learners, practitioners, and scholars that is reflective of our Lehigh Valley and regional communities. This commitment is a mission-critical imperative in honoring our Salesian spirituality which creates a campus community that allows us to 'be who you are and be that well.'
We acknowledge with respect, the people of the Lenni Lenape, the Indigenous Peoples on whose ancestral lands DeSales University now stands. We honor them and their many contributions to the world around us, including the original philosophy and practice of environmental stewardship. Respecting the call of Pope Francis in Laudato Si, we strive to “show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions” (Laudato Si, 2015, no. 146).
DEI Campus-Wide Committee
This group meets monthly and attendance is open to members of the DSU college community. Our committee roster is as follows:
- Michelle Bolger, Ph.D. – (Women’s Caucus ERG representative) Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
- Susan Givens-Skeaton, Ph.D. - (Business Division) Assistant Professor of Business; Department Chair, Human Resource Management, Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management
- Donna Mikol – (Human Resources) Assistant Director of Human Resources
- Maria Montero, Esq. - Board of Trustees
- Father Kevin Nadolski, OSFS, Ph.D. – (Mission) Vice President for Mission
- Lisa Plummer, M.Ed. - (Institutional Research & Analysis) Director of Institutional Research & Analysis
- Judy Sabino - DeSales Alumna
- Dan Villanti – (Institutional Advancement) Director of Alumni Relations
- Ahmet Yayla, Ph.D. - (Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Division) Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice; Director, Center for Homeland Security
- Student Representative – Austin Lewis, Graduate Student Representative