Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Vision for Inclusive Excellence
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Methodist University is dedicated to the ethical principles of truth, virtue, justice, and love; thus, the University strives to cultivate a climate of respect, dialogue, and collaboration around these aspects of identity. Our office strives to position Methodist University to fulfill its mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by developing and sustaining meaningful and collaborative relationships that result in a more diverse and inclusive community and centering the voices of our community to drive university-wide culturally sustaining initiatives and equitable opportunities.
Belonging & Inclusion Blueprint
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is pleased to introduce the Belonging & Inclusion Blueprint Canvas Curriculum. Designed to meet the diverse needs of our Methodist University community, this curriculum offers a comprehensive selection of free, online professional development modules.
Tailored for students, faculty, staff, and community members alike, these modules provide valuable insights into topics such as belonging, inclusion, biases, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. Our primary aim is to foster enhanced relationships, services, and resources within the Methodist University Community.
This innovative workshop aims to provide a safe and constructive space where both students, faculty, and staff can explore, examine, and ultimately challenge their implicit biases. By doing so, we can foster an environment that promotes empathy, encourages critical thinking, and empowers everyone to create meaningful change.
Goals for This Workshop
- Raise Awareness: This course will raise awareness of the prevalence and influence of implicit biases in our daily lives. Through interactive discussions, engaging activities, and real-life examples, participants will recognize the unconscious biases that shape their perceptions and behaviors.
- Identify Opportunities for Change: Participants will examine how implicit biases can impact interactions within the college community, potentially leading to disparities in academic, social, and professional settings. By understanding these implications, we can work towards a more inclusive campus environment.
- Promote Empathy and Understanding: By exploring various lived experiences and perspectives, students and faculty will develop a deeper sense of empathy, promoting better communication and understanding among diverse individuals.
- Develop an Inclusive Campus Culture: By embracing a collective commitment to reducing implicit biases, we will strive to create a more welcoming and equitable campus culture where everyone can thrive and succeed.
Tulsa Leadership & Entrepreneurship Academy
Tulsa’s Leadership and Entrepreneurship Academy offers BIPOC males between the ages of 18-26 a 13-week journey that includes:
- Weekly courses focused on the foundations of entrepreneurship, covering topics like marketing, team development, pitching, brand design, promotional tactics, budgeting, and finance.
- One-on-one conversations with established local business owners.
- Weekly sessions with world-renowned business leaders from companies such as Facebook and Amazon.
- enrichment field trip to nationwide headquarters of top companies to chat one-on-one with key executives.
- Personal mentoring sessions with our highly skilled business coaches.
- The opportunity to pitch their business or brand at Tulsa’s annual Gala for a chance to receive funding.
- FREE LLC filing sponsored by the Tulsa Initiative.
Our program is no cost to the student, so apply today.
Anonymous Bias Incident Report
Message from the President
I came to Methodist University because of our clear and inspiring mission statement and my realization that if we can fully live into that statement, we will be one of the greatest universities in the United States. Our mission statement says, “The University is committed to an ecumenical spirit, respects diversity, and recognizes the dignity and worth of all human beings.” It says, “a liberally educated person is sensitive to the needs and rights of others.” And, it establishes the missional pillars of truth, virtue, justice, and love. This mission is why we have an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We have the responsibility, powerfully articulated in that mission statement, of ensuring that MU is a fully inclusive environment – an environment in which all students, of all backgrounds, have the opportunity to participate and to thrive. That is my commitment as president and our commitment as a university.
Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Staff
Quincy Malloy, Ed.D.
Gavin Myrick, M.Ed.
