Herbert School of Communication

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Who We Are

In order to create an academic environment that embraces diversity of thought and acceptance of all people, The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication is committed to diversity and inclusivity for all students, faculty, and staff. To this end, it is our mission to nurture a sense of belonging and drive change in the direction of building a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. We understand that through different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds we create a stronger and more creative academic and social environment that empowers all of us to move the needle of change, promote equality, foster equal access, and eliminate discrimination.

Follow us on Twitter @LhscDiversity and Instagram @lhscdiversityinclusion.

Join Us

Members

DEAN’S OFFICE

  • Mario Murillo
  • Robyn Crosby

STUDENT MEMBERS

  • Jake April
  • Crystal Lucio-Bermudez
  • Arielle Ruiz

FACULTY & STAFF

  • Sara Hendricks
  • Bruce Avery
  • Russell Chun
  • Russ Harbaugh
  • Phil Katzman
  • Christine Noschese
  • Vicky Semple
  • Kristal Zook
  • Ivan Cardona

How to Get Involved

Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are welcome to join the LHSC D&I Committee. Here are ways to get involved:

  1. Become a standing member – standing members attend the majority of meetings and actively participate in work groups.
  2. Become a contributing member – contributing members may participate in special projects or work groups, or attend meetings periodically.
  3. Drop-ins welcome – dropping in on D&I Committee meetings are welcomed.
Join Us

Photo Gallery

 

Testimonials

“In this constantly developing society, it’s important for us to ensure opportunities exist for all. As a student at Hofstra and a resident of New York, I’m glad that organizations such as this one take charge of diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus and in our community.”

-Nathan Luke, DS
MA Public Relations

Image
Luke

What We Do

2021/2022

  • The LHSC Diversity and Inclusion Committee officially changed its name to the LHSC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
  • November 2021 - Distributed student Climate Survey to LHSC students to help assess the school as it pertained to diversity, equity and inclusivity.

2020/2021

  • Communication sent to the entire LHSC community in response to the mass shooting in Atlanta and rise of anti-Asian violence. (March 20, 2021 Statement)
  • March 22, 2021 – Held a two-hour faculty Community Building Workshop: Managing Difficult Classroom Discussions, moderated by Dr. Cornell Craig, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Hofstra University. (Link to flyer)
  • Drafted Fall 2021 LHSC Student Climate Survey
  • Created three sub-committees: Events and Promotion; Research and Development; Social Media and Outreach.

2019/2020

  • November 2, 2019 – Held an LGBTQ+ training titled, Inclusive Q-mmunity: LGBTQ+ Awareness and Advocacy Training. This was a four-hour training led by Amanda DelGaudio from the Student Leadership & Engagement Office and was attended by 22 LHSC faculty and staff. Each attendee received a certificate of completion. (Link to flyer)
  • Committee teamed up with Student Access Services and arranged for two informational training sessions, one for each department. Faculty found sessions to be informative and additional training given in the future.
  • Committee continued to draft, input, and organize its Inclusive Voice Media List (formerly, Media Resource List). This list is a searchable database of videos, films, text, articles, other and resources, entered by faculty, staff, and students and shared among all. List is currently under review.
  • Communication sent to the entire LHSC community after the killing of George Floyd, and in the wake of the many civil rights protests that swept our nation in the summer. (June 3, 2020 Statement)

2018/2019

  • The LHSC Diversity Committee officially changed its name to the LHSC Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
  • Distributed school-wide Climate Questionnaire to LHSC students, faculty, and staff to “take the temperature” of the school as it pertained to diversity and inclusivity. 
  • December 2, 2018 – Held a successful full-day “Understanding Bias” workshop for the Herbert School faculty and staff. Training was led by Elaine Gross and Dr. Sofia Pertuz of ERASE Racism. Thirty-three (33) faculty and staff attended. (Link to flyer)
  • April 17, 2019 - Held first-ever student-lead LHSC Town Hall title, “We Hear You. Let’s Talk,” moderated by Dr. Sophia Pertuz of ERASE Racism.  Students were able to provide hand-written recommendations at the end of the town hall, further highlighting the need for actions. (Link to flyer)
  • Drafted searchable Media Resource List for faculty to use as a reference for an array of diverse and inclusive to consider for classroom or other use, also a way to create a community discussion. List is currently under review.

2017/2018

  • Drafted LHSC Climate Questionnaire.
  • The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication’s Diversity Committee formed. The Committee voted to function as a stand-alone committee, spearheaded by the Dean’s Office, and in May 2018, the Herbert School’s full-time faculty voted in favor to add a Diversity Committee report to the agenda of each LHSC full-faculty/staff meeting.