Office of Organization Development and Diversity Initiatives
Our Mission
Central to the mission of the College of Education and Human Development is the development of individuals to learn, educate, discover, serve, and lead in a culture of diversity. To help fulfill this mission, the Office of Organization Development and Diversity Initiatives provides strategic oversight for initiatives that create an equitable and inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty.
Our History
Established in 2008, the Office of Organization Development and Diversity Initiatives oversees the college’s strategic initiatives related to creating an equitable and inclusive environment. A college-wide committee on diversity initiatives made up of faculty, students, staff and administrators served as the advisory board to ODDI and provided guidance to the college. This committee was recognized by the Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs and the Office for Diversity with the Diversity Service Award in 2014. In 2015, goals to enhance climate, diversity, equity and inclusion became part of the college’s strategic plan. In addition, the college strengthened the roles of student, faculty, and staff advisory groups which also added to the network of support for diversity initiatives.
CEHD Equity and Social Justice Collective
Formed in the summer of 2020, The CEHD Equity and Social Justice Collective has been working to centralize and further expand our existing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in and through the college. The Collective serves as an umbrella under or through which academic departments and program areas, offices and units, centers and labs, groups and committees, and individuals in the college can magnify and continue to do important work to advance climate, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in and through the college.
The Collective was created with the following long-term aims in mind:
1. Identify faculty, staff, and students across CEHD whose scholarly and other interests are (in)directly tied to equity issues
2. Provide supportive collaborations between and among individuals across CEHD doing equity and social justice minded work
3. Produce technical, practical, and emancipatory knowledge that can help inform policy, processes, and practices related to racial and other forms of justice in CEHD and beyond
For more questions or information about the collective please contact Patrice French (pfrench@tamu.edu), program manager for ODDI and John N. Singer (singerjn@tamu.edu), associate dean for diversity and inclusion.
Climate Awards
The CEHD Climate Awards recognizes a faculty or staff member in CEHD who has positively affected the College in the areas of climate, diversity, and/or equity.
Previous Award Winners
2019
Staff:
Sarah Oakley, Teaching, Learning and Culture
Faculty:
Miranda Walichoswki, Educational Psychology
Megan Patterson, Health and Kinesiology
2018
Staff:
Casey Ricketts, Dean’s Office
Faculty:
Sloan Milstein, Health and Kinesiology
2017
Staff:
Chandell Billings, Health and Kinesiology
Faculty:
Rhona Fowler, Educational Administration and Human Resource Development
2016
Staff:
Cathy Watson, Educational Psychology
Patrice French, Dean’s Office
Faculty:
Krystal Cook-Simmons, Educational Psychology
Luis Ponjuán, Educational Administration and Human Resource Development
2015
Staff:
Windy Turner , Dean’s Office
Faculty:
Shanna Hagan-Burke, Educational Psychology
Jay Woodward, Educational Psychology
2014
Faculty:
Beverly Irby, Educational Administration and Human Resource Development
Yolanda Padrón , Educational Psychology
Christine Tisone, Health and Kinesiology
Nancy Watson, Educational Administration and Human Resource Development
ODDI Staff



Links and Resources
Gender-inclusive Bathrooms
Located in
- Harrington Tower- Room 636-Gender neutral/handicapped accessible
- Harrington Tower- Room 227B –Gender neutral/handicapped accessible
Find more gender inclusive bathrooms on campus. Select “Unisex Bathroom” in the legend.
Lactation Rooms
Located in Harrington Tower- 227A
This room is a designated lactation room with an upholstered chair, foot stool, built-in counter, refrigerator, sink, paper towels and electrical outlets. It is located off the main hall on the 2nd floor and has a trilogy (punch code) lock on the door.
To receive a code visit one of the departmental administrative offices in the building: Dean’s Office – Room 801, Educational Administration & Human Resource Development – Room 511, Educational Psychology – Room 704, or Teaching Learning & Culture – Room 308. For more information or questions regarding the space, please contact the building proctor at (979) 458-3657.
Find more lactation rooms on campus. Select “Lactation Room” in the legend.
Resources
-