Two leaders in inclusive excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University have graduated from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s Standards of Professional Practice Institute, which is considered the gold standard in training for senior-level diversity professionals across higher education.

Tomika Ferguson, Ph.D., assistant dean, student affairs and inclusive excellence, and assistant professor of educational leadership in the School of Education; and Brooke Berry, J.D., assistant vice provost for diversity, equity & inclusion in the Division of Student Affairs, graduated from the program this spring.

“Participating in the [institute] was an extremely supportive and validating experience. Having the opportunity to learn from and with the country's foremost higher education diversity thought leaders was challenging and empowering,” Berry said. “It was especially meaningful to join this cohort with Dr. Tomika Ferguson as we continue to collaborate on ways to apply the tools and strategies we learned through our coursework to strengthen our community of practice at VCU.”

The Standards of Professional Practice Institute certification is designed to enhance diversity officer capacity to advance diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and support a culture of care and inclusive excellence across the academic environment.

Ferguson and Berry are members of the VCU Inclusive Excellence Council chaired by Aashir Nasim, Ph.D., vice president for institutional equity and vice provost for community engagement and equity; chief diversity officer and advisor for One VCU; professor and director, Institute for Inclusion Inquiry and Innovation.

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