Connective Issues: A UMass Chan diversity and inclusion blog

Marlina Duncan, EdD, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, reminds the UMass Chan community that our diversity is central to our mission.

he Diversity and Inclusion Office, in collaboration with the Latino Medical Student Association, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science and Happy Feet, is planning a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Albert Sherman Center multipurpose room. The event will honor the rich traditions and contributions of the Latinx community through an exciting evening of salsa and bachata lessons, cultural games and activities that showcase the lively spirit of Latinx culture and reflect the resilience, resistance and strength of the Latinx community. In advance of the event, read one community member’s reflection on salsa music, below.

This academic year, the Diversity and Inclusion Office will address the ways diversity, equity and inclusion and disability can positively intersect by focusing its speaker series, Centering the Margins, on the theme, “Advancing Accessibility and Inclusion in Health Care for People with Disabilities.” The series will kick off on Sept. 25 at noon online, with the topic “Going beyond the basics: Successful communication between health care professionals and patients who are deaf, late deafened or hard of hearing.” Members of the UMass Chan community are encouraged to attend.

Tailored orientations like UMass Chan’s Inclusive Excellence Orientation, held for students historically underrepresented in medicine, are necessary because they remind students that they belong and gives them an opportunity to meet people who will be part of their network and sphere of influence.

Pride is a vibrant and empowering celebration of diversity, inclusion and acceptance. However, we gather today at a time of both celebration and deep concern. While Pride serves as a powerful reminder of the LGBTQ+ community’s achievements and resilience, it also highlights the ongoing struggles they face

The environmental justice movement began alongside the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Led by people of color, particularly Black people, the movement sought to bring attention to the lack of environmental protections in communities of color.

Misgendering, the act of using incorrect pronouns, can have profound negative consequences. When someone is consistently referred to by pronouns that align with their gender identity, it conveys a sense of acceptance and belonging, fostering a safe and inclusive environment.

UMass Chan offers multiple opportunities to engage in service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.