University strengthens partnership with national civil rights leader
Grand Junction– Colorado Mesa University hosted Nita Mosby Tyler on Monday, February 18, as the university continues efforts to practice and improve strategies around diversity and inclusion.
While on campus Tyler hosted a work shops with faculty and staff to facilitate discussion on campus to advance a culture of inclusion and promote greater diversity at CMU.
“Some people have become numb to words like ‘equity,’ ‘equality’ and ‘diversity',” said Mosby Tyler. “But equity isn’t just a buzzword. I believe we really can develop course-correcting systems so they deliver and work equally well for all of us. Equity can happen through designing, evaluating and correcting our systems and markets to ensure they deliver equally well for all of us irrespective of race, background, gender or ethnicity.”
Mosby Tyler launched the Equity Project to support organizations and communities in building diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. She is the former senior vice president and chief inclusion officer for Children’s Hospital Colorado – the first African American woman to hold that position in the organizations 100+ year history. She is also the former executive director of the office of human resources for the City and County of Denver – the first African American woman to hold that position in the 63+ year history of the agency.
She is a consultant accredited by the Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence, and is nationally recognized for her equity work with non-profit, community, government and for-profit organizations.
“Nita brings a different and modern approach that makes discussing diversity and inclusion relevant for students and staff in the here and now," said CMU Coordinator of Student Diversity Ky Oday. "She continues to make us better and has really become part of the CMU family.”
In addition to speaking with staff and students, Mosby Tyler also met with students from the campus Cultural Diversity Board and other student organizations, and hosted an interview session with student run CMU-TV.
Mosby Tyler recently provided a community lecture at CMU during the community’s MLK Day celebration in January. She also joined CMU President Tim Foster for a conversation about equity and equality.