In mid-October last semester, The Etownian received an open letter to the editor concerning the leadership of the Elizabethtown College Office of Civil Rights, Opportunity and Access. The letter was written after the announcement that Dr. Kesha Morant Williams would be departing from her work with the department. The letter, which advocates for filling Williams’ role as a senior leader for the office, called for “a candidate who has the vision, experience and potential to lead a Civil Rights Office.” The letter continued, stating that, “This role is critical in maintaining the progress we have made and ensuring that our commitment to equity, inclusion and opportunity continues to thrive.”
This call to action spoke to the work the college put forth in recent years to provide diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, especially under the leadership of Williams, as well as the desire of the student body and staff to continue this work. The author of the letter, director of Student Opportunity, Access and Engagement Darcey Mills, said it “sparked an important dialogue across campus,” one that was recognized with the appointing of Javita Thompson as Interim Senior Advisor to the Office of the President for Diversity, Equity & Belonging.
Thompson brings a great deal of experience to the office. For years, Thompson has taught and worked in universities and presented at workshops and conferences within the diversity, equity and inclusion space. She is also the president for the Central Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education and a planning committee member for Lancaster Learn.
“Since the inception of the Ubuntu program here at Etown, I have served as a mentor to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students on our campus,” Thompson said “I am honored to have been selected to continue the work I have done as it relates to community and civic engagement and diversity, equity and inclusion here.”
Thompson is taking on this position alongside her current work overseeing the Center for Community and Civic Engagement.
Thompson said she was moved to take on the position when she realized it was “apparent” that the student, staff and faculty felt there was a need for this position to be filled.
“I am serving in this role for six months,” Thompson said. “During this time, we are evaluating how or if the role will continue and in what fashion.” Thompson added about the appointment.
Despite the temporary nature of the role, Thompson brought forth many goals and areas of growth that she wants to see acted upon in the new year. One such concern that was raised was for communication assistance for the school’s large scale events like the lecture series.
“After learning about the need in our Campus Inclusion Council, we partnered with ITS and the Office of Marketing and Communication to continue the Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) evaluating processes and policies as funding needs evidence of this role being filled.” This CART system has been continued under Thompson’s guidance to provide programming and closed captions on presentations for those who need it. she says.
Another one of Thompson’s goals is to continue work that the college started since the spring of last year when the campus was approved as a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) campus. This approach, which is nationally recognized, seeks to dismantle the prejudiced hierarchy that has been dominating academic institutions since the beginning of time.
“In collaboration with our community partner Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, we are working towards creating an environment that believes in collective liberation and is not afraid to do the hard work of challenging systems and ways of being that are harmful to our BIPOC students, colleagues, and community members,” Thompson said.
Thompson’s appointment was applauded by Mills, who said that while he believes this is a step forward, he warned against becoming complacent with the progress made so far.
“We must collectively ensure that this work doesn’t lose momentum or focus,” Mills said. “Equity and inclusion are not destinations- they are ongoing practices that require continued commitment from every level.”
Mills feels strongly about equity and inclusion based on his experience while a student at Etown.
“One moment that stands out to me was feedback from a First-Year Seminar student who participated in the Ubuntu Mentor Program,” Mills said. “Initially feeling isolated on campus as a student of color, the student shared that their involvement in the program provided them a sense of belonging. They felt seen, heard and empowered to advocate for others.”
