Bemidji State University took a significant step forward toward its diversity, equity and inclusion goals and its support of Minnesota State’s Equity 2030 initiative with the hiring of Steven D. Parker as the university’s Campus Diversity Officer.

Parker, who also has campus diversity responsibilities for Northwest Technical College, came to Bemidji in April after gaining experience at Alfred State College of Technology, Loras College and Bates College.

Spending his early weeks in Bemidji on an aggressive listening tour, Parker sought to gather as much information about BSU and the surrounding community as possible. In need of an institutional framework to support his work, Parker established BSU’s first Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Parker says the division provides a solid foundation for both the challenging work at hand and potential growth in the future.

“We had to dismantle some things and reconstruct them so that I could do the job that I need to do,” he said. “I want to ensure that we have a true, sustainable plan to get people here and sustain and educate them. We’re going to be more successful with diverse minds, diverse voices and diverse peoples.”

The new division includes the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, under guidance of newly named center director Dr. Solar Hong; the Center for Civil Rights; and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will focus on collaborative ways students can engage with and learn through the division’s work, while the Center for Civil Rights will oversee affirmative action, discrimination and Title IX matters.

Parker works through the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, providing strategic institutional leadership, support and employee training.

“We need to give bandwidth to all of these areas to love on them appropriately, so we can see these goals such as Equity 2030 come to fruition,” Parker said.

Although he’s still a few months shy of one year on the job, Parker is already experiencing some early successes in his efforts while recognizing the vast opportunities that lie ahead.

“We’ve been able to alter the behavior of both institutions ever so slightly, which is exciting to me,” he said. “In our community there is intent for good, and I see that intent. But for me as a minority human doing this work, the challenge of social aggression, systemic oppression – it’s what I expect.

“It’s no different in Bemidji. I’ve experience a lively community and I’ve also experienced a community that has room to grow – and I want to be a catalyst for change during that growth,” he said. “Being an activist is part of my identity. Any type of injustice, any type of oppressive system, I aim to address through transformative and intentional strategy. I can do that here and, of course, it’s needed. I have work to do. With great minds, change agents and intentionality, we will progress.”

[aesop_content color=”#ffffff” background=”#083665″ columns=”1″ position=”right” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” disable_bgshading=”off” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off” aesop-generator-content=”In June 2019, the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities set a critical goal — that by 2030, each college and university in the system will eliminate educational equity gaps. The goal, which Minnesota State calls “staggeringly ambitious,” will challenge institutions and their campus cultures to change and innovate. Through Equity 2030, Minnesota State will enhance access and student success; provide Minnesota with the talent it needs; and anchor the communities and regions we serve. Learn more at minnstate.edu/Equity2030

“]In June 2019, the Minnesota State system of colleges
and universities set a critical goal — that by 2030, each college and university in the system will eliminate educational equity gaps. The goal, which Minnesota State calls “staggeringly ambitious,” will challenge institutions and their campus cultures to change and innovate. Through Equity 2030, Minnesota State will enhance access and student success; provide Minnesota with the talent it needs; and anchor the communities and regions we serve. Learn more at minnstate.edu/Equity2030

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