Indianapolis IN
Email: elansmit@iu.edu or ellise.a.smith@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellisesmith/
M.S.Ed., Higher Education and Student Affairs, Indiana University Bloomington
Engaging in critical, yet intentional change must start with individuals willing to make a sacrifice that will serve more than just self. I recognize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts are towards the top of lists across the landscape of higher education. I also recognize this work is exciting yet draining, rewarding yet triggering, while being centered and overlooked at the same time. As an activist and champion for DEI, I use my work and research around identities to challenge systems that continue to exclude and erase the diversity and experiences of people.
For me, this is an intentional transparency statement about my work and my desire to serve as a member on the Board of Trustees for Indiana University. My efforts will impact our students, staff, faculty, administration, surround communities, and global constituents. I recognize there will be resistance, pushback, and performative behaviors – however one phase of this process will be to center an introspective approach to better understand how we view the world. This allows for us to look inward and question how we perpetuate ideologies that continue to stifle true movement towards a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment within our university system. It no longer serves us to mention our goals for DEI and leave these efforts on our desks once the day is done. These efforts must continue at home when you engage with your circles of influence, when you see problematic behaviors and decide to step in because you recognize where your privileges will make a change, and when your fight, flight, or freeze response takes center stage and you must decide to say something versus choosing silence. Our commitment to DEI does not stop with checking boxes on a strategic plan or the selection of myself to this board.
As a graduate student at IU, I was told many times, which I'm proud of, that I have a unique way of engaging people in having difficult discussions around race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, body diversity, ability status, and more. My approach towards this work makes individuals take an inward look at their identities and help them to evaluate how they may perpetuate negative ideologies related to the aforementioned. In most instances, individuals circle back and let me know through my keynote talks, presentations, lectures, interactions, and trainings that they were able to see a perspective they had not considered before.
In this role, I will take the time to listen and gather information to understand the gaps and disconnection within our university, while creating systems that lead to a fair and just experience. With each constituent and fellow board member, I will hold you to the same standard I hold myself – to do the work with purpose, to listen before reacting, to hold each other accountable with our actions, words, and intentions. We will hear things that will make us uncomfortable. We will see shifts that will push us to release outdated and harmful ideologies. In some cases, individuals will shut down as they question the moral movement around them.
However, I want to us to remember that intent versus impact will always be key, you may have meant well but left a lasting impact that results in harm. Be mindful that your processing of information does not dwell in the house of deflection. I want to remind all players of the university that my line of communication will be open as it is in my current role. I hope you all will engage in dialogue with myself and your colleagues as we create a culture of transparency and change. Being true to my work, many people know me for my critical yet authentic discussions around unjust systems, my realistic approach to finding a solution, and my desire to push back on ideologies that do not support the holistic experiences of those who are under and misrepresented.
The work is not easy. The work will not happen overnight. The work will force us to take a deep look at ourselves in ways that we may or may not have imagined.
With that I say, prepare to take this journey together, prepare to learn when to speak up and when to listen, prepare to discuss experiences you will no longer be able to pacify with a hashtag or a well-intentioned meme, prepare to do the work.
I look forward to the opportunity of assisting with the continuing shift of our university while reviewing our programs, practices, and policies. If equitable change is what we seek, I ask for your vote and support for this alumni seat!