About Us

Diversity and Inclusion

Statement

In order to achieve and sustain excellence in education, the English department aims to reflect a diversity of cultures with particular emphasis on those that have historically not had adequate representation in decision-making roles. Diversity is the range of human differences, including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs. Inclusion is the act of welcoming and respecting diversity.

Committee

Each year, the department chair will appoint at least three people to the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee. Professorial faculty and continuing instructors may serve on the committee, which should also include at least one member of staff and one student as non-voting members.

Committee Charge

The committee will survey stakeholders regularly about diversity and inclusion and will develop guidelines to foster diverse and multicultural learning environments; will make reports and recommendations to the faculty and chair about issues of diversity and inclusion, as appropriate; will encourage social engagement that promotes celebration and appreciation of our differences; and will seek to prepare our students for a diverse and global workplace.

Members

2020-2021

  • Jarod Roselló, co-chair (faculty, Tampa-campus)
  • Timothy Turner, co-chair (faculty, Sarasota-Manatee campus)
  • Julie Armstrong (faculty, St. Petersburg campus)
  • Elizabeth Chapman (graduate student, Tampa campus)
  • Gurleen Grewal (faculty, Tampa campus)
  • Carl Herndl (faculty, Tampa campus)
  • Elizabeth Hirsh (faculty, Tampa campus)
  • Kara Larson (graduate student, Tampa campus)
  • Ángel Maldonado (faculty, Tampa campus)
  • Geveryl Robinson (faculty, St. Petersburg campus)

2019-2020

  • Nicole Discenza, chair (faculty)
  • Carl Herndl (faculty)
  • Emily Jones (faculty)
  • Julia Koets (faculty)
  • Jarod Roselló (faculty)
  • Megan Stowe (graduate student)
  • Sara Hammami (undergraduate student, spring)
  • Autumn Oliver (undergraduate student, fall)
  • Debra Garcia (staff)

2018-2019

  • Ira Sukrungruang, chair (faculty)
  • Nicole Guenther Discenza (faculty)
  • Debra Garcia (staff)
  • Megan Stowe (graduate student)
  • Autumn Oliver (undergraduate student)
  • Mark Leahy (instructor)