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DEI Steering Committee Leadership Updates; Upcoming Programming

Dear Colleagues,

With the new year underway, we continue to work towards enhancing the staff experience in Northwestern IT. In addition to reminding you about upcoming programming opportunities, today, we want to share some updates related to our Steering Committee leadership.

DEI Steering Committee Updates

  • Steve Christensen, director of communications and engagement, is joining the Steering Committee as a full member and will partner with the co-chairs and members on strategic planning, goal setting and achievement, significant change management initiatives or updates, and elevating items—as needed—to Northwestern IT leadership.
  • Betsy Watkins, systems engineer in Collaboration Services and current Communications working group lead, has graciously accepted to serve as co-chair—with Serena Simpson—of the DEI Steering Committee. Betsy’s two-year term runs through January 31, 2026.
  • Lisa Hinkley, systems analyst in Enterprise Systems Human Resources and Student, joined the Steering Committee in January. Her two-year term runs through January 2026. In her new role, she will co-lead the working group focused on making recommendations to improve practices and pathways related to hiring, retention, and advancement in Northwestern IT, along with Krista Burris.
  • Krista Burris, digital media specialist in Media and Technology Innovation, joined the Steering Committee in September 2023 with expressed interest in supporting improvements in hiring and retention. Krista’s two-year term runs through September 2025.

The rest of the committee—Michael Campbell, Josephine Anderson, and Colby Witherup Wood—continue to lead important work related to PEX resources, events and programming, and ensuring the committee is developing data-informed strategies and approaches to its work. We are also grateful for the ongoing participation of all our colleagues who continue to volunteer their time to plan and facilitate topics for the dialogue series and fireside chat gatherings.

What Black History Means to Me
Please join the Northwestern IT DEI Committee for its Black History Month event on Thursday, February 29. This informal hybrid gathering will feature a panel of Northwestern IT and University Library staff who will share self-defined presentations and conversation contributions to address the theme, "What Black History Means to Me." There will also be a moderated Q&A session with panelists after the presentations. While the deadline has passed to secure lunch for the event, RSVPs are still encouraged.  

Thursday, February 29
1800 Sherman Avenue, Suite 7-600
Noon to 1 p.m.
RSVP for the event. (Note: The deadline to RSVP for lunch at this session has passed and the catering order is complete. If you are RSVPing after February 26 and choosing to attend in person, feel free to bring your own lunch. You can also choose to attend virtually.)

International Women’s Day Celebration
We invite staff to join us in participating in an International Women’s Day celebration hosted by the Northwestern Women’s Center. The center is hosting a virtual event on the national theme, “inspire inclusion.” The event will feature a talk by Ayda Ad Astra, head and founder of Unconventional Counseling. Their work supports QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and gender-expansive people. Ayda Ad Astra’s conversation will center on the challenges of being non-binary in a conservative culture.

Friday, March 8
Noon to 1 p.m.
Register for the event.

If you have any questions about these updates or are interested in getting involved with the committee’s work, please email us directly.

Sincerely,

Northwestern IT DEI Steering Committee