In order to continue working towards the faculty and student recruitment and curriculum goals identified in the UNC Charlotte Diversity Plan Dean Gutierrez created the innovative Department Diversity Liaison program.  

A central focus for the Department Diversity Liaisons during the 2011-12 academic year is working with the CLAS Diversity Coordinator to provide leadership to in developing and disseminate best practices for incorporating diversity into our scholarship, teaching and service.  Diversity includes, but is not limited to ability/disability, age, culture, gender, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.  Recognizing that academic disciplines and CLAS departments often face both common and unique challenges, this work will build on the current strengths and practices within and across departments. 

There are three key responsibilities for Department Diversity Liaisons during the 2011-12 academic year:  (1) To collaborate with the CLAS Diversity Coordinator and other Department Diversity Liaisons in order to create and maintain a campus climate committed to diversity.  To this end, the Department Diversity Liaisons will actively engage in exploring both intellectual and practical issues associated with diversity; participate in periodic meetings and campus events; develop programs, activities and best practices related to diversity;  (2) to disseminate diversity information from the university and CLAS to departmental colleagues, and from departments to CLAS; and (3) to identify as a faculty member committed to diversity and, as such, serve as a resource to students, faculty and staff within the department.