Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity is embedded in all we do in the College of Arts and Humanities.
ARHU is TerrapinSTRONG!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice—these fundamental values are embedded in all we do in the College of Arts and Humanities. The university as a whole stands as a model for diversity through its student population and programming; ARHU leads the university in the percentage of underrepresented minorities among faculty, students and staff. To be fully in ARHU is to boldly recognize the value and centrality of diversity and inclusion in all that we do; to adopt a deeply multicultural, multinational approach to research and teaching; and to commit ourselves to educating students who are worldwise and worldready. Join us—ARHU is TerrapinSTRONG!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The College of Arts and Humanities
The College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) at the University of Maryland (UMD) has long been a leader in providing a rigorous course of study that incorporates a deep examination of issues of race, equity and social justice. The college participates in TerrapinSTRONG, the university’s initiative to create an inclusive environment, and has a number of initiatives supporting diversity, equity and inclusion at UMD
Under former Dean Bonnie Thornton Dill’s leadership, the college made a number of key advances toward strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion. A collegewide Campaign on Race, Equity and Justice, launched in 2020, has sought to increase knowledge of systemic racism and the issues related to anti-racist practice, transform curriculum and scholarship to center the experiences of historically underrepresented communities, reduce incidents of individual and systemic racism and discrimination and more.
A 21-person Committee on Race, Equity and Justice, made up of faculty, staff and graduate students, serves to advise the dean on goals related to the eradication and dismantling of structural racism and on strategies for ensuring equity and social justice throughout the college, campus and community.
Professor of English GerShun Avilez is the associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at ARHU. In this role, Avilez leads the college in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion goals and practices.
Featured Diversity News
TerrapinSTRONG
Faculty and Staff
Congratulations on starting your professional journey at the University of Maryland and welcome to ARHU.
Everyone in ARHU is pleased that you’ve joined our rich, diverse, inclusive community. With over 3,000 students majoring in ARHU, over 400 faculty and staff members, and over 65 majors and minors, ARHU is boldly leading the way at UMD toward a better world and a fruitful future. We invite you to further explore ARHU to see how the college is pursuing its mission to prepare versatile and visionary leaders equipped to address the complexities of the human experience, both globally and locally.
Undergraduate Students
When you selected your ARHU major, you made a bold choice.
We’re so glad that you’ve decided to follow your passions and dreams! There are numerous ways that your ARHU major will prepare you for a bright and productive future. You’ll learn to be empathic and thoughtful, to listen fiercely and to communicate innovatively, to value the rich diversity of the 21st century world, and to Be Worldwise and Get Worldready. All of ARHU is open to you—be bold and look for that class you never thought you’d take—and take it. Reach out to that faculty member and see if they’ll mentor you or involve you in their research. Join that group, find that advisory council, make your voice heard—ARHU is TerrapinSTRONG.
TerrapinSTRONG Undergraduate Student ModuleGraduate Students
Welcome to UMD and to its College of Arts and Humanities.
All of ARHU is thrilled that you’ve chosen Maryland as the best place to pursue your graduate degree. Our graduate alumni are renowned scholars, artists, educators and leaders across all sectors. You will find that UMD is a bold intellectual community of seasoned and new scholars committed to the highest quality of research and the most robust of graduate experiences. We hope you’ll take full advantage of all that ARHU and UMD have to offer!
TerrapinSTRONG Graduate Student Module
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
GerShun Avilez
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Graduate Education and Strategic Initiatives, College of Arts and Humanities
Professor, English
Associate Dean, Douglass Center
Francis Scott Key Hall 1102
College Park
MD,
20742
Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Thayse Lima
Associate Professor, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Associate Professor and Advisor, Spanish and Portuguese
Affiliate Faculty, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, College of Arts and Humanities
2210 Jiménez Hall
College Park
MD,
20742
Staff Equity Officer
Kathleen Cavanaugh
Assistant Dean for Academic Technology and Administrative Operations, College of Arts and Humanities
1102 Francis Scott Key Hall
College Park
MD,
20742