Faculty Diversity and Faculty Development

The Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Faculty Development works with faculty members, administrators, and substantive committees to advance Duke University's goals and aspirations in the area of faculty diversity, as well as to enhance programs and policies concerning work-life balance for faculty members across the university. In 2003, Provost Peter Lange established the Faculty Diversity Initiative following reports from the Faculty Diversity Task Force and the Women's Faculty Development Task Force. He appointed and charged the Faculty Diversity Standing Committee with oversight of the initiative, with regular reports on progress to the Academic Council. The 2005 Faculty Survey regarding climate for faculty has provided useful information for departments, schools and the institution in guiding improvements in work-life balance for faculty and helping us understand where changes are needed. Policies concerning parental leave and tenure clock relief have been implemented and improved in recent years, and a 2006 Faculty Mentorings Initiative document highlights best practices for faculty members, department chairs, deans and the provost. In the fall of 2006, Duke University received an Alfred P. Sloan Accelerator Award for Faculty Career Flexibility which allows us to improve existing programs and add new ones in the areas of flexible work arrangements, pre-retirement planning and post-retirement work and dual career recruitment. The Provost, Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Faculty Development and the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Diversity work together on these issues.

In addition to the areas noted above, the office is responsible for:

  • Monitoring the progress of the 2003 ten-point Faculty Diversity Initiative Plan
  • Enhancement of recruitment and retention efforts related to women and faculty of color in fields where they are underrepresented
  • Implementation of actions recommended in response to faculty initiatives and surveys
  • Dissemination of mentoring strategies
  • Improving, communicating, monitoring and tracking policies related to work-life balance
  • Planning for faculty development seminars, workshops and programs
  • Coordinating efforts with other offices, individuals, networks and committees across the university in areas of diversity
  • Examining and promoting programs that enhance the pipeline of future faculty members - including the Provost's Postdoctoral Scholars Program launched in 2007
  • Linking with similar offices at peer institutions in order to share ideas, promote best practices, learn ways in which we can improve, and provide leadership in higher education in areas of diversity

Contacts:

Nancy Allen
Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Faculty Development

Jacqueline Looney
Associate Vice Provost for Academic Diversity

Gwendolyn Purnell
Administrative Assistant to the Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Development and Director of Academic HR Services

Walter Tallman
Program Assistant to the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Diversity

Related Links:

Diversity Website
http://www.diversity.duke.edu

Development Task Force Report-Summary of Implementation
http://www.provost.duke.edu/pdfs/Diversity.pdf

Faculty Diversity Initiative Update 2006
http://www.provost.duke.edu/pdfs/FacDiversityInitiative.pdf

Faculty Mentoring Initiative
http://www.provost.duke.edu/policies/Faculty_Mentoring_Initiative.htm

Flexible Work Arrangements Policy
Flexible Work Arrangements Form

Making A Difference- 2006 Strategic Plan: Diversity
http://stratplan.duke.edu/ch03/5.html#diversity

Office of Institutional Equity
http://www.duke.edu/web/equity/

Provost's Postdoctoral Scholars Program
http://postdoc.duke.edu/provost.html

The GRIND: Engaging Diversity
http://nursing.duke.edu/files/grind_fall_2006.pdf

Alfred P. Sloan Award for Faculty Career Flexibility
http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2006/09/sloan._print.ht

Human Resources: Benefits
http://www.hr.duke.edu/benefits/main.html

Faculty Development in the School of Medicine
http://medschool.duke.edu/modules/som_fac_dev/index.php?id=1

2003 Women's Initiative
http://www.duke.edu/womens_initiative/

Guide to Black Faculty at Duke
http://mlw.studentaffairs.duke.edu/programs/Resources/A%20Guide%20to%20Black%20Faculty.pdf