Director
Academic Programs & Administration
College of Pharmacy
Why did you want to become an advocate? What drew you to this initiative?
Throughout my years at Ohio State, I’ve had the pleasure to know, work with, and learn from an incredible group of women. Although I recognized that their lived experiences were and continue to be different than my own, I wanted the opportunity to play a more active role in addressing gender equity issues.
How has learning about male privilege and educating other men about male privilege changed you?
Becoming aware of my male privilege has been a welcomed wake-up call. It has allowed me to be more thoughtful and understanding about others’ perspectives and experiences.
How do you bring what you have learned back to your colleagues? How has being an advocate changed the way you interact with men and women at Ohio State?
I’ve been more intentional about making sure that everyone’s voices are heard and that they feel included. I’ve also found that most of the time, taking the time to just listen can go a long way.
How has your involvement had a “ripple effect” on your department?
I started a new position several months after becoming an Advocate, so I have not yet had the opportunity to implement these facilitations in my current unit. It has not only been important to learn my new role and get to know my colleagues, but also become acclimated with the culture. Since I’m involved in my unit’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, I hope to bring these efforts forward in the near future.
What kinds of changes, small or big, have you noticed in your unit since conducting the facilitation?
Although I haven’t had the chance to complete a facilitation in my unit yet, I’ve appreciated and continue to learn from the opportunities that I’ve encountered leading these conversations in other spaces.
What impact do you think this program will have long term on the culture and climate of Ohio State?
My hope is that university leadership and other stakeholders will take a critical look at our own policies and practices to implement changes that will promote our commitment to equity and culture change.
What can men do to continue to be advocates and allies for equity?
Always be aware of microaggressions and develop an appropriate action plan to address them. Use your privilege to stand up against injustices that impact your colleagues who are underrepresented.
