CSUB developing DEI faculty fellowship

Program aims to bring more diversity, equity and inclusion to campus through faculty work

By California State University, Bakersfield

November 1^st, 2022

California State University, Bakersfield is exploring a new way to bring more diversity, equity and inclusion to campus.

The university is developing a DEI faculty fellowship aimed at providing a learning and work environment that better supports diverse perspectives and facilitates equitable programs and policies.

“This program is essential for CSUB to proactively create safe spaces and structures where all faculty feel welcomed, encouraged and supported so that they can grow and thrive professionally,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Vernon Harper. “An added benefit of the fellowship is the intentionality of bringing DEI teaching practices into the classroom and extending safe spaces and structures to students so they may also grow and thrive academically.”

Dr. Tracey Salisbury, assistant professor and chair of the Ethnic Studies Department, has been selected by the university to spearhead the creation of the fellowship.

“This fellowship reflects the university’s commitment to creating a more inclusive campus,” she said. “This is something we hope will directly impact the campus community and strengthen our ties with the Kern County community.”

Dr. Salisbury has formed a 10-member task force comprised of representatives from each division of the university. The task force will meet for the first time this month to begin developing ideas and finalize a proposal for the fellowship program.

“It’s about shaping it and making it something our faculty can feel confident in,” she said. We have a number of ideas, but we also want to have buy-in from the faculty. We’re hoping that the faculty will embrace this fellowship.”

Dr. Salisbury expects the fellowship will support up to six faculty per year in conducting research or creating projects or teaching concepts that will support underserved individuals and groups on campus.

“We’re not going to hold back on what faculty can do,” she said. “We’re going to be very open with what it is so we can accommodate faculty within their work but also challenge them to think of their work as it relates to the 21st Century and our ever-changing population.”

A report of recommendations from the task force is expected to be delivered to Dr. Harper by the end of the school year. Dr. Salisbury hopes the Academic Senate will approve a proposal in fall 2023 and that CSUB can start taking applications for the fellowship the following spring.

The fellowship isn’t Dr. Salisbury’s only new responsibility. She is also working with Chief Diversity Officer and Special Assistant to the President Claudia Catota on developing new DEI, anti-racism and social justice programming as well as professional development opportunities.

They will also work together to create campus and community conversations involving diversity, equity and inclusion as well as create a library resource guide on issues relating to DEI, anti-racism and social justice work.

These efforts are all part of the university’s broader goal of developing a more diverse student and faculty population on campus, according to Dr. Salisbury.

“This is a long-term partnership, a group effort,” she said. “I hope this fellowship will be a lynchpin for something even better in the future, but you have to plant the seeds first to get the bloom.”