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YOU BELONG HERE



Committee for Belonging and Diversity Mission Statement

We seek to cultivate a Zion community grounded in unity, mutual respect, and charity toward all. Unity and covenant belonging exemplify the greatest commandments (to love God and neighbor) and denote a Zion people whose hearts and minds are knit together in love (Mosiah 18:21). We embrace the apostolic assertion that “unity and diversity are not opposites” and affirm that “we can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity” (Cook, 2020). With the pursuit of unity and celebration of diversity as our joint purpose, we commit to the following collaborative objectives:

  1. We strive to be peacemakers as we follow Jesus Christ, the prince of Peace, by building, lifting, encouraging, persuading, and inspiring all God’s children (Nelson, April 2023). We do so by loving and having genuine concern for the welfare of our neighbors; we can become one with the Savior and each other (D&C 38: 27).
  2. We are committed to building a sense of belonging as we follow God’s commandments of gathering His children from “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (Mosiah 15:28–29). As members of the social science community, we seek to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice (Nelson, October 2020).
  3. We aspire to follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, by reaching out to help one another through serving our neighbors in need and sacrificing self-interests to promote covenant belonging (Ephesians 4:12-13).
  4. We seek to create equal access to a loving and faith-filled environment of belonging where all students, faculty, and staff can fulfill the Aims of a BYU Education “in a stimulating setting where commitment to excellence is expected, and the full realization of human potential is pursued” (BYU Mission Statement).

Get Involved

Research Academy

Connect with a mentor to gain experience in social science research and take a one credit-hour course to help you prepare for applying to graduate school. Accepted students will receive a scholarship and wages for their work as an RA.

Participate in a Faith, Cultural Renewal, and Leadership Seminar

Study how your primary identity as a child of God can pair with your cultural heritage to help you build the beloved community of Zion. Seminars are offered for African American, Native American, Latinx, and Pacific Islanders.

Career and Leadership Academy

Join the Career and Leadership Academy to gain essential career skills, a $500 scholarship, and expert guidance for securing full-time employment after graduation!

Belonging and Diversity Art Contest

September 9th the exhibit showing all of the artwork and award winners will be held at the Museum of Peoples and Cultures at 6:00PM

Attend an Event

Find a seminar, focus group, panel discussion, or other event that interests you

Picture a Social Scientist Lectures

Every month “Picture a Social Scientist” events will feature inspiring social science professionals students can relate to.
More

Faculty Resources

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Culturally Responsive Faculty Mentoring

Are you a junior faculty member in an underrepresented group? Find a mentor here
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Apply for a Diversity Research Grant (opens in a new tab)

You could receive funding for up to 2 new research projects per year.
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Nominate a Faculty Member for an Award

Contact your department chair about a fellow faculty member who promotes belonging.
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Make a difference in your classroom

Address Race and Racism in the Classroom

Tips on reducing racism in the classroom and reading recommendations from the Africana Studies Program

Help Students with Accommodations (opens in a new tab)

Learn how to help your students who need additional accommodations

Syllabus Statement on Diversity

Copy a statement about diversity and inclusion to add to your syllabus

Invite a Panel to Your Classroom

Diversity panels aim to help faculty collaborate, inform students, and nurture a Zion community
Get to Know Us
Leadership
Race/Ethnicity Committee
Gender Working Committee
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Niwako Yamawaki (opens in a new tab)

Associate Dean of Belonging
1094 KMBL
niwako_yamawaki@byu.edu (opens in a new tab)
(801) 422-8053 (opens in a new tab)
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Glenny Riley

Belonging & Diversity Program Manager
946 KMBL
glenny.riley@byu.edu (opens in a new tab)
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Jane Lopez (opens in a new tab)

Committee Chair
Sociology
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Niwako Yamawaki (opens in a new tab)

Associate Dean
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Riley Wilson (opens in a new tab)

Economics
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Diana Duan (opens in a new tab)

History
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Ashley Jimenez-Fraser (opens in a new tab)

School of Family Life
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Quinn Mecham (opens in a new tab)

Political Science
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Cory Dennis (opens in a new tab)

Social Work
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Niwako Yamawaki (opens in a new tab)

Committee Chair
Associate Dean
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Carina Alleman

Committee Chair
HR Business Partner
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Matt Bekker (opens in a new tab)

Geography
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Sandra Sephton (opens in a new tab)

Psychology
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Alison Sondrup

Community & Social Services Internship Coordinator
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Ashley LeBaron Black (opens in a new tab)

Family Life
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Other Resources