Diversity and Inclusion

Our Statement on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity

The College of Journalism and Communications understands the importance of diversity as a contribution to the industries of journalism and communications in our increasingly multicultural nation and globalized marketplace. We value diversity and the development of competence in intercultural communication and behavior for all who are a part of our college, industry and society. Thus, we are committed to incorporating diversity and inclusiveness in our faculty, staff, student, curriculum, research, immersion properties and culture.

We embrace diversity as a shared responsibility among faculty, staff, and students and strive for tangible expressions of this responsibility. We are committed to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals of all races, genders, nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, identities and abilities, to express their culture and perspectives through the art and science of journalism and communications.

— Adopted by the faculty April 12, 2017

Welcome to the website of the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Task Force, composed of volunteer members of faculty and staff at the CJC. The group is working to ensure that the CJC becomes a preeminent institution on matters of inclusion, diversity and equity at all levels of activities – from outreach programs to pre-undergrads (pictured above), to a pluralistic representation among students in our bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, from the recruitment and retention of world-class and diverse faculty and staff, to the content and voices represented on our media properties serving communities in North Florida. The group works as advocates toward an inclusive and equitable environment in the service of living up to the goals stated above.

Putting the 2020 Plan Into Action

The task force is focused on ensuring that the diversity and inclusion plan adopted by the faculty as part of the 2020 Strategic Plan is being examined and executed. The task force has been meeting monthly in half-day sessions to review the plan, discuss updates and other issues and develop action plans to execute. Follow our tracking document »

A Focus on Hiring

CJC has stepped up its effort to broaden the pool of potential job candidates to include more people from underrepresented groups. Students, with production help from Telecommunication Lecturer Iman Zawahry and script by Advertising Lecturer Benny Torres, created this video which has been shared widely on CJC social media channels to help recruit candidates in the 2018-19 academic year efforts to bring on nine new faculty members.