2021–22 Progress

Highlights include: Held RISD’s inaugural Black Biennial exhibition. Increased support for first-generation-to-college students. Established the Equity and Compliance office to better address discrimination, bias and gender equity across the institution.

Progress highlights

Copy link to section

RISD undergoes a substantial leadership transition period, including a presidential search culminating with the selection of Crystal Williams to serve as our 18th president beginning April 1, 2022.
The Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (SEI)
- disbursed more than $20,000 in funding to support public programs across several academic departments, including for events in the Experimental and Foundation Studies, Fine Arts and Liberal Arts divisions.
- helped develop and supported the opening of RISD’s inaugural Black Biennial exhibition.
- established the Equity and Compliance office, improving upon its predecessor, the Office of Institutional Discrimination and Title IX, in addressing discrimination, bias and gender equity at RISD.
RISD Museum programming reflects priority to address social justice issues. Among museum events related to SEI/social justice issues are:

Copy link to section

The Center for SEI increased funding for Project Thrive, ensuring support for first generation-to-college undergraduate students throughout their studies at RISD.
The RISD Museum diversified the membership of its board of governors.
SEI, Disability Support Services and Equity and Compliance partnered to develop and offer on-campus workshops that address ableism and advance anti-ableist skill development.
Institutional Advancement launched the Latin+(mas) alumni affinity group.

Copy link to section

The Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (SEI) hosted author, political commentator and public intellectual Eddie Glaude, who delivered the Martin Luther King (MLK) Series keynote address, marking the MLK Series’ 11th year.
The Center for SEI recruited fellows Nichole Rustin and Zoé Samudzi, both of whose research practices are steeped in critical race theory. Rustin, who is affiliated with the History, Philosophy and Social Sciences department, focuses on race, gender and ethnicity within the context of sound and music. Samudzi, who teaches in the Photography department, examines genocide memory, atrocity images, ethics of seeing/witnessing and the repatriation of art and human remains.
Institutional Advancement launched two affinity groups: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Women in Business.
Information Technology Services (ITS) staff attended a workshop on inclusive data collection for LGBTQIA+ populations and moved to incorporate inclusive language guides into RISD forms and applications and ITS websites and support materials.

Copy link to section

Equity and Compliance established student work-study positions to support peer-to-peer educational programming around issues of discrimination, bias and gender equity.
The Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards attended the annual conference of the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice.
The Center for Student Involvement developed a program that allows for various groups to engage in common leadership training ahead of the academic year.

Home

About

Academics

Admissions

Giving

News and Events

Student Financial Services

Civic Engagement and Conversation

2021–22 Progress

Progress highlights

Year in review

Fall 2021

Wintersession/Spring 2022

Summer 2022

Related stories