Message from UAH leadership regarding recent events

The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other African Americans and people of color speak to the institutionalized racism that plagues our country. Those horrific incidents continuously define the everyday realities of people of color who face discrimination, marginalization, and bigotry.

As leaders of UAH, an institution that prides itself on solving complex problems, we believe that silence is complacency. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” As a result, the University will continue the work of addressing deeply rooted institutionalized racism and injustice, of seeking ways to engage in respectful, meaningful, yet sometimes difficult, conversations, and of building a community that is safe, supportive, and inclusive for all.

We believe in the transformative power of education. We will use our greatest asset, intellectual capital, directly in our educational programs, in our research, and in our campus engagement to commit ourselves to educating and advocating for a world that is equitable, just, and kind. We will be intentional in gaining understanding at every level— faculty, staff, student, constituency. Addressing racism and embracing diversity must be concepts and efforts that the University engages in at every level of planning and in every activity. As we restart our strategic planning process in the fall, we, the academic leadership, will redouble our efforts joining forces with the students, faculty, and staff to continue promoting equity and inclusion in our planning, policies, and practice. Now, more than ever, we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder, regardless of race, gender, or age, as a community of scholars.

The challenge is how can we make every opportunity inclusive, equitable, and fair on campus. We can start with our individual actions in our daily lives of practicing:

• Respect and civility
• Fairness and justice
• Helping and encouraging
• Voting and engaging our community
• Building unity and solidarity

Let all of us in the Charger community use this moment to recommit ourselves to working together to create a campus and a community that is truly safe and welcoming for all.

Sincerely,

Darren Dawson, President
Christine Curtis, Provost, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Kristi Motter, Vice President for Student Affairs
Laterrica Shelton, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Robert Lindquist, Vice President for Research and Economic Affairs
Todd Barré,Vice President for Finance and Administration
Mallie Hale, Vice President for University Advancement
Lafreeda Jordan, Assistant to the President for Government Relations & Economic Development
Ray Garner, Chief of Staff
Sean Lane, College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences Dean
Jason Greene, College of Business Dean
Beth Quick, College of Education Dean
Shankar Mahalingam, College of Engineering Dean
William Wilkerson, Honors College Dean
Marsha Adams, College of Nursing Dean
John Christy, College of Science Interim Dean
David Berkowitz, Graduate School and International Services Dean
Karen Clanton, College of Professional Studies Dean
Ronnie Hebert, Dean of Students
Brent Wren, Associate Provost
Cade Smith, Athletic Director
Michael Snellgrove, Chief of Police