Forward Together 2.0 Action Teams

By Wendy Huntsmann, DEI Specialist at Doane University

Forward Together 2.0 was relaunched in Spring 2023. Since then, 16 Unit Action Teams have worked within their department, divisions, or colleges to develop strategies for the three DEI Commitment Goals.

The Commitment Goals are:

1. Drive Inclusion & Belonging: We foster and sustain a diverse campus, inclusive climate, and strong internal and external community relations.
2. Unleash Inclusive Leaders and Teams & Advance Global Education: We strengthen institutional learning, education, service, and scholarship for success in the global community.
3. Expand Equity and Success: We improve access, equity, and success among all members of the community by closing equity gaps and eliminating structural barriers, especially for historically underrepresented and marginalized community members.

The Action Teams will finalize strategies at the end of Spring 2024, with the implementation of strategies beginning in Fall 2024 and completion in Spring 2026. Get to know your Action Team leaders and reach out to them. Thank you to our Action Team members for making a difference.

Academic Affairs Office/Registrar; Shalea Wood-Akers (Chair), Lori Thompson, and Patty Stehlik

Advising; Allysa Swiec (Chair) and Carlos Palacios

Academic Success Center; Beth Jacobson (Chair), Gwendolyn Lopez, Jeremy Caldwell, Rachel Jank

Advancement & Alumni Relations; Sarah Zulkroski (Chair), Mike Stehlik, and Tony Tolliver

Athletics; Jen Kennedy-Croft (Chair) and Tony Odorisio

College of Arts and Sciences; Amanda Irions (Chair), Kate Marley, Bill Whipple, Jen Lytle, Ather Mahmood, and Vileru Tivexi

College of Business; Terri Deems (Chair), Peng Zhao, Charlena Miller, and Jared Cook

College of Education; Marilyn JohnsonFarr (Chair), Bess Scott, Tim Frey, Trina Pettit, and Courtney East

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Wendy Huntsmann (Chair), Luis Sotelo, Tim Burge, Jaden Hilkemann, Daniel Dibbern, and Marivelle Magaña

Enrollment Management and Marketing; Sara Hinds (Chair), Becky Omon, Halle Weatherly, Nancy Murphy, and Alyssa Childers

Finance/Facilities; Marie Rold (Chair) and Raquel Schmidt

Human Resources; Marivelle Magaña (Chair), Anne Ziola, Sara Weixelman, and Taylor Steiner

Library; Cali Biaggi (Chair), Jayne Germer, and Tammy Roach

President’s Office; Jenei Skillett (Chair), Roger Hughes, and Luis Sotelo

Technology Services; Ted Jedlicka (Chair), Madeline Deveney, Sam Cole, and Dana Carter

Student Affairs; Eric Jones (Chair), Spencer Munson, Sarah Begay, Darcy Dawson, Skyler Hembree, and Andreea Baker

The blog posts in Forward. Together. are intended to foster an inclusive community of empathy and curiosity at Doane University by providing a glimpse into various individual identities and worldviews. These are community members’ unique stories and should not be presumed to be the experience of all who share the same identity.