Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) are foundational pillars of Felician University, rooted in the Felician Franciscan Core Values that underpin the institution – Respect for Human Dignity, Compassion, Solidarity with People in Need, Transformation, and Peace and Justice.

Felician will establish JEDI as a core institutional value, essential to our pursuit of excellence, to promote an environment where the diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, strengths, and perspectives of the members of our university community are valued and respected. We strive to enroll a diverse student body and employ a diverse faculty and staff, rooted in the truth that diversity strengthens our mission and our ability to prepare our students to influence their communities and to change the world one community at a time. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and collegial campus atmosphere that enables human flourishing in the fullness of mind, body, and spirit. Our goal is to cultivate vibrancy, mutual appreciation, and a culture of excellence where individuality is embraced and provide all members of the university community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn.

The purpose of JEDI is to develop, organize, and implement efforts to address systemic racial and social inequities facing the University and the broader community. Felician is committed to advancing JEDI through implementation of programs and policies supportive of the representation and participation of all perspectives, views, and concerns, without exception. Felician will be a caring community where intolerance, repression, and harassment are not ignored or tolerated. We will transform our institutional culture into one that is exciting, inclusive, and empowering. We will not only focus on individual personal identities, ethnicities, beliefs, cultures, socio-economic status, and orientation, but also the diversity of experiences, skills, values, and expertise.

The University will pursue the following goals, rooted in the Felician Franciscan values, to advance community knowledge and self-awareness while providing a safe space for all:

• Develop diverse University programming focused on equity and social justice.
• Build a diverse and just community influenced and enlightened through the Felician Franciscan values.
• Recruit and sustain a diverse community of Faculty, Staff, and Students.
• Develop curricular and co-curricular activities related to equity and social justice.
• Provide university-wide professional development and resources to advance JEDI efforts.
• Create a culture where alumni demonstrate a commitment to JEDI within their communities and beyond.

Building a culture through a holistic approach where differences are valued Elevates the Arc of Every Life! Establishing JEDI organizational values and goals empowers community members with knowledge and understanding of the University’s commitment to being a beacon of welcome.

Inaugural JEDI Council:

Dr. Marilu Marcillo: Advisor

Policies and Procedures Subcommittee

• Sharon McNulty
• Laura Pierotti
• Mylene Pinto
• Professor Theoni Mantzoros
• Michelle Onyeije
• Arelis Rodriguez

Faculty, Academic Activities, and Curriculum Subcommittee

• Sharon Towler (Subcommittee Chair)
• Professor Carleen Graham
• Professor Mazdak Zamani
• Professor Ligia Alberto
• Professor Ashley Appleton
• Professor Warren Reich

Programming and Communication Subcommittee

• Camille Braker (Subcommittee Chair)
• Christina Caronna
• Caitlin Baard
• Nicole Aumack
• Brianna Grausso
• Aaliyah Gill
• David Crawford

Training and Development Subcommittee

• Alexis Smith
• Fanny Johnson
• Marybeth O’Flanagan
• Daquan Pullum
• Makayla Brown