Diversity Task Force
In June 2020, a task force was assembled by Chief Diversity Officer, Daryll Dykes, PhD, MD, JD, to accomplish "the herculean task to make actionable recommendations to move Upstate in a bold new direction toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging."
The task force was comprised of the following key stakeholders and thought leaders representing various campus constituencies and related issues.
| Chair: Daryll Dykes, PhD, MD, JD | ||
| Greg Threatte | Terry Culbertson | |
| Rachel Hopkins | Amy Brown Carusso | |
| Susan Furtney | Jada McMahon (Medical Student) | |
| Sri Narsipur | Guillermo Polanco (Medical Student) | |
| Nakeia Chambers | Sarah Zainelabdin (Medical Student) | |
| David Amberg | Dale Avers | |
| Janelle Gage | Matt Glidden | |
| Lauren Germain | Mattie Cerrio | |
| Carl Thomas | Sean Patterson | |
The Task Force published potential action items in the following report::
2020 Diversity Task Force Report
Phase 2: Implementation and Oversight Tiger Teams
In a letter to campus on Aug. 31, 2020, we invited members of the Upstate Community to submit applications to volunteer to serve on these Implementation and Oversight Tiger Teams to further evaluate, prioritize, develop, and coordinate the action items proposed in the Task Force report. Consistent with other work on campus, we use the term “tiger team” to refer to a specialized, cross-functional team brought together to solve or investigate a specific problem or critical issue.
Over 70 individuals from every part of our institution came forward to take on this important responsibility of serving on these special teams. We know their work will be transformative and Upstate will be a better place because of their commitment and dedication to making it so. All individuals expressed a deep passion for creating a culture of BELONGING for all who invest so much in Upstate’s noble mission. These teams are:
Policy, Bias Reporting and Mitigation
Co-chairs: David Amberg and Sipho Mbuqe
Lynn Cleary, Maureen Ryan, Holly Vanderhoff, Mattie Cerio, Alexis Yackel, Sherod Harris, Cassandra Bradford, Llamara Padro-Milano, Cristina Pope, Joan Chou, Vickie Cottrell, Christa Bennett, Meenakshi Malhotra, Anne Dotzler, Lauren Germain, Mark Schmitt, Sharon Huard, Danielle Katz-consultant, Malika Carter-consultant
Recruitment & Retention
Co-chairs: Jennifer Welch and Nancy Page
Adjuah Williams, Bryant Tyler, Caitlin McConnell, Cameron Bosinski, Carl Thomas, Charles McChesney, Emily Kulkus, Jackie Peak, Jennifer Potter, Karen Thrasher, Katherine Beissner, Krystal Ripa, Megan Brandt, Rebecca Milczarski, Rochelle Lawler, Sherria Sparks, Stacy Lovelace, Steven Contreras, Sue Murphy, Yvonne Monti
Patient, Community, and Alumni Services
Co-chairs: Janell Gage and Nakeia Chambers
Paula Trief, Rev. Terry Culbertson, Emma Blystone, Lisa Beneway, Trina Skeele, Tracy Davis, Catherine Narcavage-Bradley, Asalim Thabet, Jivan Lamichhane, Shannon Finnerty, Sunny Aslam, Sara Williams, Shannon Banes, Shantel Henry, Simone Seward, Rachel Ryan
Diversity Organization, Branding and Messaging
Co-chairs: Sean Patterson and Daryll Dykes
Yolanda Beckon, Larhonda Caver, Julie White, Deidre Keefe, Terrence Howell, Nicole Harf, Julian Chaplin, Daniel Waterman, Sarahemla Barth, Khadijah Osbourne, Angela Wratney, Pamela Brown, Mary Meier, David VanWie - consultant, Debbie Rexine - consultant
Education and Training
Co-chairs: Rachel Hopkins and Rebecca Greenblatt
Pearlene Augustin, Ann Botash, Billy Brill, Darren Carboni, Amy Caruso-Brown, Rebecca Garden, Lauren Germain, Erin Graham, Steven Harris, Chaeyeon Kim, Carol Anne Kozik, Elizabeth Nelsen, Oghale Obaro-Best, Carol Recker-Hughes, Deanna Walborn, Angelique Woods, Diane Mantooth, Mario Mejia, Nayla Khoury, Holly McCurdy