Point of Pride - Office of Minority Student Affairs - University of Illinois ...

Diversity Values Statement
Diversity is one of the great strengths of a world-renowned academic institution
such as the University of Illinois. OMSA works to create and sustain a strong
support network for students by collaborating with valuable resources and
partnering with liaison deans and academic advisors in the colleges and
departments on campus to offer services, programs and events for students.
OMSA embodies the concept of diversity. Diversity is defi ned as a deep
appreciation for the inherent uniqueness of the different racial, ethnic, cultural,
physical, intellectual and other personal characteristics and belief systems that
characterize individuals. Diversity enriches OMSA as a learning and service
organization.
Fostering diversity and inclusiveness is an inherent value at OMSA. Our
diversity values drive the services we offer and anchor the offi ce’s overarching
goals of creating a culture of staff excellence, student excellence, planning and
assessment, and internal and external engagement — all of which are designed to
facilitate the retention, persistence, and timely graduation of targeted students.
Our diversity values statement includes the following:
• We value the uniqueness of each staff member and student.
• We value the inherent worth and dignity of our students and their families
and those who partner with us to achieve academic goals.
• We value the different perspectives that staff, students, and partners have,
which challenge everyone in the organization to reexamine core beliefs.
• We value the different cultural and social paradigms that enlighten and
empower members of our learning organization.
• We value positive and healthy competing ideas that enhance
organizational learning and service.
• We value the inherent richness of our differences and our similarities, both
of which make the department a healthy learning and service organization.
“Diversity is defined as
a deep appreciation for
the inherent uniqueness
of the different racial,
ethnic, cultural, physical,
intellectual and other
personal characteristics
and belief systems that
characterize individuals.
Diversity enriches OMSA
as a learning and service
organization.”
Points of Pride
Michael Carrasquilla,
Ethan Feldman, and
Taisha Harris
received the Tutor of the Year Award in
Spring 2011
Offi ce of Minority Student Affairs 2010-2011 Annual Report Diversity Values Statement | 13