Galloway, N.J. — Four Stockton faculty and staff members recently presented a workshop, “Inequities in the Hiring Process and How this Impacts Student Success,” at the 2023 Conference on Diversity, Equity & Student Success in Nevada.

Donnetrice Allison, chair of Africana Studies and professor of Communication Studies; Allison Sinanan, chair of the master’s in Social Work program and professor of Social Work; Jessica Grullon, associate director of Admissions Services; and Marques Johnson, associate dean of Students, all have a multitude of experience working in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Stockton, so presenting on this topic was both familiar and passionate.

“All four of us have done quite a bit of DEI work at Stockton over the years. I served on the Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for 12 years. I’ve worked on countless projects and events, including the 2018 climate survey, and I served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives after the death of George Floyd,” Allison said. “In that role, I spearheaded the proposal to require Stockton undergraduate students to take two courses on Race and Racism. I also co-facilitate the Summer Institute for Teaching Race and Racism.”

The workshop provided attendees with the structural biases that exist in the hiring process and how faculty of color are always at a disadvantage when applying to predominantly white institutions’ (PWI) openings. It also examined how student success increases when there is diversity in faculty and the invaluable role search advocates play during the job application process. 

“Representation amongst faculty and staff allows students to feel safe, seen and more engaged in and outside of the classroom,” Grullon said. “Being a part of the hiring process that is fair and that selects final candidates that are a reflection of the student body that they serve gives me hope for the future.”

Sinanan, who co-facilitated the search advocate training for the past four years at Stockton and has served as a search advocate herself, hoped attendees could grasp the vast ways Stockton’s BIPOC faculty and staff work to ensure DEI strategies are successful.

“Attendants were very engaged in the strategic DEI initiatives we are all involved in,” Sinanan mentioned. “Many stayed after our session to continue the conversation about our personal experiences and possible burden BIPOC faculty face when addressing DEI goals.”

“This workshop was a perfect example of how creating practices that position the institution in a way to attract diverse candidates only increases our ability to have successful outcomes for all students. As a result, our students leave having the true meaning of a sense of belonging. Also, because of the work faculty and staff accomplish, it attracts more talent to the institution, furthering the opportunities for us to be a model for our peers,” Johnson concluded.

Reported by Mandee McCullough

Photos submitted