Constituted in 2017, the D&I Committee is dedicated to increasing the iSchool's diversity and creating an inclusive community that welcomes all students, staff, faculty, and friends of the school. If you would like to get involved, have an idea for an event, or would like to learn more about D&I resources and activities at the iSchool, please contact the committee chair.
Committee Chair (2020-2021)
Rachel Van Middlesworth
Career Development Office Manager
Committee Members (2020-2021)
Keisha Brown
Director of Communications
Carla Criner
Assistant Dean for Education and Student Affairs
Ida Rahnamai
Senior Administrative Associate
Bo Xie
Professor
Elle Carnley
MSIS Student
Ali Gunnells
MSIS Student
Emma Hetrick
MSIS Student
Gabrielle Roth
MSIS Student
Emily Simpson
MSIS Student
Raivynn Smith
MSIS Student
Recent iSchool D&I Activities
The committee was hard at work over the 2020-2021 academic year funding student initiatives and finding new ways to engage and support students in our virtual environment:
- Funded the SAA book club for A Black Women's History of the United States (2020)
- Hosted a screening of the documentary Change the Subject in collaboration with UT Libraries
- Organized a group for a virtual Black Austin Tour
- Created and shared a student resource guide for pandemic support and more
- Funded two $500 Diversity & Inclusion Awards for Open House projects: Read about this year's winners