Since its inception, the mission of the President’s Council on Inclusive Community (PCIC) has been to foster a community at Virginia Wesleyan University where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and included regardless of race, religion, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, covered veteran status, handicap, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
Today, we want not only to continue this mission, but to also join with the many voices calling for an end to systemic racism and discrimination on any front. In this time of much needed social change, Virginia Wesleyan is committed to identifying and working to end racism and injustice and to acknowledge and address manifestations of privilege. PCIC will work to listen, to advocate, and to act. As a campus community, we are committed to promoting the equitable participation of all, to acknowledging and removing barriers, and to ensuring that everyone has a voice and is heard.
PCIC will support all campus members as they respect the humanity of one another, work together to learn about others and themselves, and strive to sustain a culture of civility, respect, and open dialogue, and will ensure that silenced voices are heard.
Priorities:
- Work to identify and end racism and discrimination present in our community.
- Ensure that everyone has a voice within our community and feels welcomed, valued, and fully included.
- Work to ensure the equitable participation of all members of the campus community.
- Educate the campus community about the challenges faced by many on our campus.
- Remove barriers to full participation faced by historically disenfranchised groups.
- Sustain a culture of civility, respect and open dialogue.
2021-2022 Membership
Brian Kurisky, Chief Diversity Officer, ex officio
Craig Wansink, Professor of Religious Studies, Joan P. and Macon F. Brock Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, Chair of Religious Studies, ex officio
Paula Bazemore, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, ex officio
Erin Highsmith, Student, ex officio
Saige Smith, President, Black Student Union, ex officio
Dominique Fowler, Alumnus, Founder of Virginia Wesleyan Black Alumni, ex officio
Sheril Steinberg, Alumna, Former winner of VWU Inclusive Community Award, ex officio
Micaela Morris, Contract Services, ex officio
Victor Dorsey, Director of Security, ex officio
Harold Stallings, Contract Services, ex officio
Takeyra Collins, faculty
Felipe Hugueño, faculty
Modupe Oshikoya, faculty
Kathy Stolley, faculty
Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, faculty
David Stuebing, staff
Jason Seward, staff