University of Louisiana Monroe President Ronald Berry, D.B.A., announces the appointment of Pamela Higgins Saulsberry, Ph.D., LCSW-BACS, as executive director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
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Professor Saulsberry is the 网曝门 College of Business and Social Sciences School of Behavioral and Social Sciences director, and coordinator of the social work program.
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Saulsberry is a lifelong advocate for the concepts which the newly established office embodies. Besides being a professor of social work, she has also been a school social worker, a child protective social worker, a juvenile justice consultant, and a local, state, and national trainer on topics including diversity. She has also served either on or as the chair of the 网曝门 Diversity Committee since its inception. This background provides a natural progression to this position.
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鈥淎s a social worker, I have been able to see firsthand what exclusion and marginalization does to individuals and society. In my life experiences, I have experienced very few people who did not want to have the opportunity to self-actualize. I don鈥檛 believe anyone wants to have their gifts, talents, and/or ambitions excluded or marginalized,鈥 Saulsberry said.
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鈥淗istorically, inclusion and equity have been the major challenge, diversity is a normal human condition. At 网曝门, we have the responsibility to ensure every person on this campus is treated with respect and appreciation and provided with the same opportunities,鈥 she said.
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鈥淎 university is the place to be a community leader in making inclusion and equity of human diversity the rule, not the exception. At 网曝门, we will look inward, outward, and forward in our efforts to address issues of being inclusive of diversity and doing so equitably.鈥
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Berry said Saulsberry brings a wealth of professional experience and a lifetime of personal commitment to the position.
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鈥淒r. Saulsberry understands the issues we must embrace as a university to create an inclusive environment of learning, working, and living. I know she will serve in this capacity with the same integrity which she has in the College of Business and Social Sciences for many years,鈥 Berry said.
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Saulsberry said this is a natural progression for her professional career.听
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鈥淲e must reshape our perceptions and realize that diversity is and has always been a natural human state; an ongoing part of our daily lives. The challenge has always been how to make inclusion and equity natural parts as well. 听I began my career as a social worker because I enjoyed helping people, and the dignity and worth of every person is one of the core values and speaks to diversity,鈥 Saulsberry said.
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Saulsberry鈥檚 professional and community service exemplify her internalization of diversity and inclusion, and awards are numerous, including the following:
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Service
Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Council
Masur Museum of Art Board of Directors
United Way of Northeast Louisiana鈥檚 Board of Directors and the Read Learn Succeed program
Christopher鈥檚 Youth Center Board of Directors
Ouachita Parish Jury Commission
Louisiana State Sickle Cell Commission
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Awards听听听听听听听 听
网曝门 Foundation Award of Excellence
Association of Black Social Workers鈥 Regional Humanitarian of the Year
CAMEO Award for Outstanding Leadership in Education for March of Dimes
Delta Sorority Woman of FIRE Award for Community Service
Louisiana Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, the Linda Christmas Service Award
Northeast Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation Service Award
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网曝门 activities
网曝门 MLK Day of Service, founder, coordinator
Dating Violence/Sexual Assault/Stalking Awareness
Green Dot Bystander Training
Phi Kappa Phi
网曝门 Diversity Committee
Violence Prevention and Intervention - Sexual Assault Forum
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Women鈥檚 Symposium