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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 and prepare for graduate school by doing research

Attend the Civil Rights Seminar

Learn how to create a "beloved community" through hands-on experience

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 Inclusion Art Contest

April 8th is the submission deadline for art pieces that fit the theme "Hearts Knit Together in Unity and in Love"

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.
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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

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

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

Associate Dean of Belonging
1094 KMBL
niwako_yamawaki@byu.edu
(801) 422-8053
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Kathleen Reyes

Program Manager, Belonging and Diversity
990 KMBL
(801) 422-3819
kathleen_reyes@byu.edu
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Jane Lopez

Committee Chair
Sociology
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Niwako Yamawaki

Associate Dean
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Alejandra Aldridge

Political Science
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Diana Duan

History
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Ashley Jimenez-Fraser

School of Family Life
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Jaren Pope

Economics
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Margaret McCabe

Sociology Admin
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Cory Dennis

Social Work
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Niwako Yamawaki

Committee Chair
Associate Dean
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Carina Alleman

Committee Chair
HR Business Partner
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Matt Bekker

Geography
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Sandra Sephton

Psychology
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Alison Sondrup

Community & Social Services Internship Coordinator
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Ashley LeBaron Black

Family Life
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Other Resources