Making a Difference

Our plan is a living document. We will be regularly updating this document, clarifying roles and responsibilities, putting tighter timeframes and benchmarks on the action steps, and tracking progress. As part of our commitment, we will regularly report out on progress through public gatherings, public-facing materials, and on our website.

Our Serving Community Strategic Plan

Do you want to make a positive difference in PSLA through enhancing the environment of diversity and inclusion? Join our committee! We are open to employees and students in PSLA.

Current members

• Naomi Sachs – Chair , Associate Professor, LARC
• Deni Ruggeri, Associate Professor, LARC
• Colby Silvert, Assistant Professor, AEED
• Wennett Jones-Johnson, Business Manager
• Meghan Holbert , Agricultural Technician Supervisor
• ViJay Tiwari, Associate Professor, PLSC
• Diana Cortez, Faculty Specialist
• Daniel Buonaiuto, Assistant Professor
• Nidhi Rawat, Associate Professor 
• Shaun Faulkner, Facilities Manager
• Postdoc Rep -
• Grad Student Rep- 
• Undergrad Rep-

Your participation is critical. We will have multiple ways for you to provide feedback and engage throughout the semester and welcome additional suggestions on how this should happen.

• Fill out this feedback form
• Contact our Committee: nsachs@umd.edu

• Belonging & Community at UMD
  Belonging & Community at UMD works to cultivate well-being, belonging, and a vibrant learning and working community for all.

• University Strategic Plan
  The plan is comprehensive, bold, and action oriented. It sets forth a vision of the university as an institution unmatched in its capacity to attract talent, address the most important issues of our time, and produce the leaders of tomorrow.

• Center for Leadership & Organizational Change (CLOC)
  Using our strengths in organizational development and tools from Gallup, CLOC helps nurture a culture of engagement and inclusion where faculty and staff work with passion, feel a profound connection to their workplace, and are empowered to succeed.

• Thriving Workplace Initiative
  This initiative, sponsored by the Office of the President, is dedicated to making the University of Maryland “the best place to work.” The Thriving Workplace Initiative is viewed as a strategic investment in the university’s staff and faculty to ensure that their voices are heard and that they feel valued for their important work.

• Multifaith Religious Calendar (AY 2022-2023)

Here are some helpful resources and dialogue about diversity and inclusion.

• Antiracism Series
• Responding to Online Hate-Bias Incidents
• BISS Reporting Protocol

• October 2021
• November 2021
• December 2021
• Multicultural Departmental Potluck