Ohio University and student leaders partner to create President’s Student Cabinet for Inclusive Excellence

Ohio University has partnered with five student leaders passionate about improving the University’s culture of inclusivity to establish the President’s Student Cabinet for Inclusive Excellence. 

The Cabinet, which was created in Spring 2022, will provide the University leadership with a formalized mechanism for gathering feedback from students on the University’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Founding members of the President’s Student Cabinet for Inclusive Excellence include Kylie Duncan, Jhasmin Glass, Giah Harper, Julian Ross, and Dayna Shoulders, who will take the lead on a call for applications beginning immediately to ensure equitable representation on the cabinet
 
“Diversity, equity and inclusion continues to be a top priority at Ohio University,” President Hugh Sherman said. “We are so thankful for the commitment made by the founding members of the Student Cabinet and for those who will be joining. Their input and engagement will inform our work to ensure all students feel safe and welcome on our campuses. I look forward to engaging with members of the Student Cabinet to affect real change at Ohio University.”

Applications to join the cabinet may be submitted online and are due by May 20. Virtual interviews and selection of members will take place in May and early June. 

Members of the Student Cabinet will be required to attend monthly meetings and engage with peers and administrators in conversations to move forward diversity, equity and inclusion related strategies and initiatives. They will also be asked to actively engage with peers to ensure all voices and perspectives are represented. 

“Systemic racism is a national issue that we are not immune to on our campuses,” said Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Gigi Secuban. “I applaud our students who have passionately organized to demand action against racist behaviors and actions, and it is our hope that the Student Cabinet helps us, as an institution, more toward a better future together.”

The Cabinet’s kick-off meeting will be held in late June or early July. The Cabinet will be convened monthly by the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, who will work with the President to set the agenda for each meeting. 

The President, Provost, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, and Vice President for Student Affairs will attend each meeting. Additionally, a representative from the Board of Trustees will be invited to attend a meeting each quarter. The President and/or Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion will request the attendance of other University leaders as deemed necessary based on agenda items. 

“I am extremely proud of our students for speaking out against racism on our campuses,” interim Vice President for Student Affairs Terry Hogan said. “I look forward to hearing more from all student voices so we can work together to inform change, which will ultimately make us much stronger as a University community."

For more information about the President’s Student Cabinet for Inclusive Excellence, visit www.ohio.edu/diversity/student-cabinet-inclusive-excellence.