{"id":11035,"date":"2020-12-18T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=11035"},"modified":"2020-12-10T12:55:43","modified_gmt":"2020-12-10T17:55:43","slug":"student-reflection-serving-as-director-of-diversity-and-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2020\/12\/18\/student-reflection-serving-as-director-of-diversity-and-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Reflection: Serving as Director of Diversity and Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\""Student<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This time last year, if someone told me I would be the director of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) for Temple University\u2019s Chapter of PRSSA, I would\u2019ve thought they were crazy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our mentorship program put me in the pathway of Cindy Chen, who was the Chapter\u2019s treasurer at the time. Even though I had little to no PR experience, since I recently changed my major, she convinced me to go to the PRSSA Mid-Atlantic District Conference that was supposed to be held in March 2020. Unfortunately, this event was cancelled due to COVID-19, but Cindy continued to push my limits by convincing me to apply for the 2020\u20132021 executive board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, I was very hesitant to accept the position of director of D&I. The most incessant thought I had was about being in this position as a white woman. I didn\u2019t think I was qualified enough, didn\u2019t think I knew enough about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), and didn\u2019t think the color of my skin allowed me to be on such a platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, I figured there are many others like me who want to make a difference for people who feel silenced in our society but feel like they will be judged for being white in doing so. I wanted to be a leader and show even though I don\u2019t understand what being a minority is like, that I am an ally. Additionally, I wanted to show that educating yourself on DE&I topics and making others aware of those topics is important, regardless of your skin color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the guidance of Haniya Shariff, the previous director of D&I and current vice president of D&I for PRSSA National, I have done many things to make members feel included, represented, and heard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the first things I wanted to do was make D&I a habit rather than a box to check off. In any organization, it all starts with the executive board, so I proposed that we moved the D&I section towards the beginning of our executive board\u2019s weekly agenda instead of it being discussed second to last. This way, D&I could get the attention and recognition it deserves, and people could give their ideas and opinions while they are still focused and present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, I have hosted two open conversations giving members the opportunity to share their experiences regarding PRSSA and have created graphics to post on our Instagram regarding various month-long observances (i.e. Hispanic Heritage Month). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another event I am proud of planning was a workshop for students to find their place in the industry and give resources in advocating for themselves and others in the workplace. Most recently, I hosted a Zoom call where members took a test to learn their unconscious biases and learned ways to combat them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the semester comes to a close, I feel proud of the work I have accomplished at Temple PRSSA. For January 2021, I plan to gather data from the D&I survey we send our members to create a strategic plan for the coming years and host more open conversations so our members can be heard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, I am planning to create a D&I committee who will help me brainstorm events and ways to cultivate diversity and inclusion, write blogs, and give members a safe space to express their ideas and opinions. I am excited to learn and grow even more than I already have in this position and make a real difference within my community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\"Olivia<\/figure>
\n

Olivia Mianulli is a junior public relations major at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is currently the director of Diversity and Inclusion for Temple\u2019s Chapter of PRSSA and works as a building manager at the Howard Gittis Student Center on campus. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This time last year, if someone told me I would be the director of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) for Temple University\u2019s Chapter of PRSSA, I would\u2019ve thought they were crazy. Our mentorship program put me in the pathway of Cindy Chen, who was the Chapter\u2019s treasurer at the time. Even though I had little to no PR experience, since I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":11052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2893,1555],"tags":[3323,703,2759,3219,3322,1511],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t