During the month of February, the Office of Multicultural Affairs offered an array of events and educational opportunities in celebration of Black History Month. Highlights included a Black Student Union (BSU) t-shirt sale, a panel in partnership with the Garage, and a 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge through College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).
Presented in partnership with Walsh’s Office of Human Resources, the 21-Day Challenge was open to faculty, staff, and students, and divided into four weeks with different themes, resources and discussion questions.
These events are part of the ongoing Walsh University United Against Racism commitment.
"The 'Walsh United Against Racism' commitment is embedded in the Walsh culture and impacts year-round programming lead by the Multicultural Affairs Office in partnership with the academics, student affairs, and other university divisions. Through the intentional programming, all benefit- students, faculty, staff, and families," said Director of Multicultural Affairs Carrilyn Long, MSSA, ACSW. "One of our purposes in life is to impact change using our gifts and talents. The Walsh United Against Racism commitment has allowed us to develop intentional programming for university wide, year-round programming. Diversity, equity, and inclusion programming is more than once a month (February), but a more robust comprehensive program incorporating the interests, needs, and desires of the community we serve. As servant leaders, we lead by example."
On February 19, Walsh hosted a virtual Minority Business Panel on Starting Your Own Business at which Representative Thomas West, Ohio House of Representatives, presented Walsh University with a proclamation to Walsh University recognizing our commitment to celebrating Black History Month.
"...It is absolutely critical for institutions of higher education like Walsh University to embrace the diversity of its student population and to strive for both equity and inclusivity in all facets of campus life. There can be no doubt that this work includes acknowledging the continuing impacts of systemic racism in our society on communities of color," said Representative Thomas West, Ohio House of Representatives Proclamation. "I look greatly forward to hearing about the work the university will be engaged in not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year and in the years to come...In response, and to your administration’s credit, you have set forth several concrete themes: increased campus-wide awareness and education opportunities, messaging, and opportunities for dialogue; as well as increased involvement of students, faculty, staff and alumni from communities of color. I stand ready and willing to be a partner in this work in any way I can."