Welcome to the College of Communication and Information's homepage on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). DEI is a key focus for the College's 2020-2025 strategic plan, and we hope this page and the attached resources will serve as a strong foundation to help you feel more connected to all things DEI related in our College. I encourage you to explore the plethora of resources we have curated here, as well as those at the university level here.
Most importantly, I hope you will see this page as a reminder that you belong here at the College of Communication and Information and that we value every community members’ identity and experiences. While the work is never finished in cultivating this sense of belonging and support, the stories, events and resources you see here represent important steps toward this goal.
Below you will find the College's diversity statement which further explains our mission and commitment to DEI as well as news and spotlights on our faculty, staff and students who are doing DEI work and a calendar of upcoming DEI events. Dive even further into DEI specifics by navigating through our pages on the side menu and by reviewing our CI Diversity Plan.
- Kyra Hunting, Assistant Dean for Inclusion and associate professor, School of Journalism and Media
Land Acknowledgement
The College of Communication and Information respectfully acknowledges that the University of Kentucky sits on the lands of diverse Native peoples including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Osage and Shawnee people. We recognize that we now live and work on these lands and honor with gratitude the historical and continuing relationship between the indigenous people of this region and the land.
College Diversity Statement
The College of Communication and Information will build a collaborative environment for creativity, curiosity and excellence grounded in the core values of diversity, justice and equity. We are enriched by the diversity of cultures, perspectives and talents in our community. We thrive together when we work to provide an equitable and welcoming experience that respects and empowers the unique contributions and circumstances of students, faculty and staff from every race and ethnicity, nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status, age, veteran status, pregnancy and parenting status, and disability or health status. We are committed to ensuring every member of our College feels welcomed, well-served and included. Please join us.
The above statement was adopted by the College of Communication and Information in April 2021 and speaks to who we are as a College and as a community.
News
CI classes welcome global perspectives and diverse voices
On Oct.10, 2023, three guest speakers from across the globe shared their insights about integrated strategic communication, information communication technology and journalism, each focusing on the representation of either global perspectives or historically marginalized voices.
Celeste Warren shares expertise, breakfast and books with students
On Oct. 13, CI alumna Celeste Warren (MAS/TEL, 1985) spoke to students, faculty and staff about her experiences in journalism, her work in corporate diversity, equity and inclusion and her journey from CI student to vice president of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence at Merck.
Four CI faculty members selected for UK Engagement Academy
Four University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information faculty members were selected to participate in the inaugural Land-grant Engagement Academy, a two-day program through UK’s Land-Grant Engagement Office focused on building multi-disciplinary partnerships around community-level engagement work.
