The month of February brings a plethora of DEI events and celebrations. We are highlighting some of them here, starting with our February Tippie Monday Memoir and two more Tippie events in collaboration with International Programs, the College of Law, and the UI Center for Human Rights. Please see below for details on these events and use their respective attached calendar invites for ease of access.
More UI events are included below, as well as DEI awards recognitions and open nominations, BUILD training opportunities, statements and resources, and monthly events and observances.
A special message of congratulations to our Tippie National Diversity Case Competition Team, that placed 3rd in the nation on January 15th, 2022! This is the second year in a row that Tippie’s NDCC team placed 3rd nationally, a remarkable achievement which speaks to our College’s commitment to integrating DEI into the curriculum. Please see below for details on this year’s team and competition.
Since February 1st marks the start of the Year of the Water Tiger, we also want to wish all who celebrates it a Happy Lunar New Year
Tippie Events
Tippie Monday Memoir – Monday, February 7th at 12:00 PM CST
We celebrate African American History Month in our first Monday Memoir of the Spring 2022 semester. Our storytellers are DEI Ambassadors Baaba Saisie and Caymen Woods.
Baaba is a Finance and Entrepreneurial Management Major, and working towards an International Business Certificate. She is a BizEdge mentor and a member of the Multicultural Business Student Association, the Global Engagement Student Advisory Board, InvestHer and Walk it Out.
Caymen is an Accounting and Business Analytics Major. He is involved in Tippie Gateway, the Accounting Club, Hubbard Scholars and he is also a BizEdge Mentor.
They are going to touch on topics related to DEI ambassadors, the Black in Business Program, and all the amazing things they do in all their different roles on campus.
Please mark your calendars and join us on Zoom on Monday, February 7th at 12:00 PM CST.
Israel’s “Start-up” Business Culture Lecture – Tuesday, February 8th at 4:30 PM CST
International Programs and the Tippie College of Business are pleased to present a lecture by Dr. Daniel Aschheim entitled, "Recipe for a Start-Up Nation: 'Chutzpah', Innovation, Academia and Everything in Between," which will take place Tuesday, February 8, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in S401 Pappajohn Business Building and on Zoom.
Israeli technology and innovation have impacted not only Israelis but the entire world. Aschheim believes that the history of Israeli innovation and entrepreneurship can offer useful insights on leadership and provide a Start-Up Nation recipe that can work equally well elsewhere.
Daniel Aschheim, PhD, currently serves as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. He was appointed to this Chicago-based post in September of 2020. Aschheim comes to Chicago from West Africa, where he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Please see here for more details.
Please mark your calendars and join us in S401 or on Zoom on February 9th at 4:30 PM CST.
Black History Month Speaker – Monday, February 14th, at 12:40 PM CST
In celebration of Black History Month, the College of Law, the Tippie College of Business and the UI Center for Human Rights welcome Clarence Otis for a virtual lecture on “Becoming an Effective Leader…Especially When You’re Black” on February 14 from 12:40-1:40pm.
Clarence Otis is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Darden Restaurants, Inc., the largest company-owned and operated full-service restaurant company in the world. Mr. Otis serves as a board member with Verizon, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and The Travelers Companies. His 20 years at Darden Restaurants provides him with critical perspectives on operations, strategy and management of a complex organization and a large-scale workforce, and his board service provides extensive risk management expertise.
Please mark your calendars and join us on Zoom or in person at 225 Boyd Law Building on February 14th at 12:40 PM CST.
UI Events
Obermann Conversations Series – February 2nd, at 7:00 PM CST
“Reproductive Justice”
In the fight surrounding Roe v. Wade, it's easy to lose sight of the many other ways that access to reproductive healthcare can be limited or denied. Two Obermann scholars, Lina-Maria Murillo and Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz, talk with local healthcare providers and researchers to provide a fuller landscape of reproductive justice in the Midwest.
Lunar New Year Celebration – February 3rd at 7:00 PM CST
The Center for Asian and Pacific Studies and International Programs are hosting a joint Chinese-Korean-Japanese-Southeast Asian “Lunar New Year Celebration” webinar on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time).
The webinar hopes to bring together past and present students, faculty members, and friends of the University of Iowa from all over the world to celebrate this special day. Enjoy short cooking demonstrations, video messages from alumni and students, and panel discussions with faculty members describing what Lunar New Year/Spring Festival means to them.
Hawks of Color Event – February 11th at 11:30 AM CST
“Uplifting Our Excellence” with Dr. Erin Stresow
The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Diversity Councils, and the Graduate College are pleased to announce the “Uplifting Our Excellence” series of talks for Spring 2022.
Join Dr. Stresow on February 11th, as she talks about her research on “Servant Leadership, Leader-Member Exchange (LMX), and Individual Well-Being as Pathways to Employee Engagement, Individual/Team/Organizational Commitment and Performance in the Modern Workplace.” She’ll tie together her research and current work in her role as an Assistant Director in Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiatives in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as it relates to identities, intersectionality, and DEIB.
Screening of “Becoming Black Lawyers” – February 28th, at 12:40 PM CST
In celebration of Black History Month, the College of Law and the UI Center for Human Rights welcome Evangeline Mitchell for a special virtual screening of her Award-Winning Documentary Short "Becoming Black Lawyers". Evangeline is a UI College of Law graduate and will follow the screening of her film with an open Q&A.
Join the event either in person at 225 Boyd Law Building or on Zoom.
Provost’s Global Forum: Teaching Anne Frank - starting February 28th at 5:30 PM CST
This Provost's Global Forum brings together a multi-disciplinary panel of experts from Iowa and across Europe between February 28 - March 2, 2022, to highlight the educational value and continuing relevance of Anne Frank's story. Presenters will discuss how Anne's life and legacy are taught in multiple disciplines, in K-12 education, and in museums and other media. UNESCO'S 2014 publication, Holocaust Education in a Global Context, outlines the role Holocaust education can play in tackling difficult issues of the past in diverse national and cultural contexts. Sharing Anne’s story is all the more urgent as the last eyewitnesses are passing, and at a time when crimes against humanity still occur.
Please see here the full description and schedule of events of this Forum.
DEI Awards and Recognitions
We are very proud to announce that Tippie’s National Diversity Case Competition team took 3rd place in the nation on January 15th, 2022. The NDCC team chosen to represent the Tippie College of Business is a team of four students who exhibit a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in their academic and professional interests.
This year’s team was Zeina Aboushaar, Breandan Brannigan, Nikole Molina, and Judy Siria (with Camila Espinoza as the alternate who will be on the competition team next year).
This is the second year in a row with Tippie’s NDCC team placing 3rd nationally in this competition, which speaks to our College’s commitment to integrating DEI into the curriculum. This year the NDCC hosted 38 universities from across the country. The primary corporate sponsor, 3M, asked the teams to suggest ways that they can encourage small, minority-owned businesses to integrate robotics and automation into their operations.
The final competition placements were:
University of Denver
University of Michigan
University of Iowa
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of Washington
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
College of William and Mary
DEI Awards Announcements
The Distinguished Achievement Awards Committee and the Jean Y. Jew Women’s Rights Award Committee announce the “Celebration of Excellence and Achievement among Women”, which is the University’s annual tribute to the accomplishments of all women at UI, recognizes outstanding scholarship, research, service, leadership and activism among undergraduate, graduate, staff and faculty women.
There are three “Celebration of Excellence and Achievement among Women” awards for which faculty/staff are eligible, the May Brodbeck Distinguished Achievement Award for Faculty, the Susan C. Buckley Distinguished Achievement Award for Staff, and the Jean Y. Jew Women’s Rights Award. Award winners will be honored at a live virtual event April 6th, 2022 from 4-5pm. A link will be provided at Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women website at a later date.
The award nomination forms can be found here. The nomination deadline has been extended until February 4, 2022.
Diversity Resources in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion announce open nominations for the Diversity Catalyst Awards. For over twenty years, the Diversity Catalyst Awards honor faculty, staff, students, programs, departments, and student organizations who have engaged in D.E.I. initiatives during the previous academic year, promoting the development of an inclusive and diverse campus community. More details and nomination forms can be found here.
The Tippie's Top 21 Award gives well-deserved recognition to outstanding leaders who begin their college journeys from many different backgrounds. Whether it is through stellar academics or impressive initiative, our students can impact the Tippie community in countless ways. It is important to us to acknowledge these impacts and highlight the students who make them.
All Tippie students and pre-business students are eligible to be nominated. Nominees also are expected to have demonstrated excellence in at least two of the following areas:
Scholarship
Leadership
Experiential learning
Advancing diversity, inclusion, and global engagement
Please take a few minutes to nominate students who you feel are strong examples of what it means to be a Tippie student. The nomination deadline is Thursday, March 3 at 11:59 pm CST
DEI Statements and Resources
The University of Iowa's nondiscrimination statement has been updated to reflect the name of the new Office of Institutional Equity.
A diverse and inclusive local economy that affords full and fair opportunities for anyone, regardless of their race, gender, age, or other circumstances over which they have no control, strengthens and sustains communities. Equitable access to education, employment, and resources allows for all individuals to recognize their full potential, which contributes to a healthy environment for entrepreneurship, small business growth, and a vibrant local economy.
Please find here information and the Story Map to Black-Owned Businesses and entrepreneurs in the Iowa City area.
In the light of the terrible events at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas on January 15th, 2022, we want to highlight the importance of an educational environment and programs that combat antisemitism, especially given the unsettling trend of hate crimes in the US. For instance, according to FBI data released a few months ago, 2021 is on track to exceed last year's spike in hate crimes in the U.S., many of them linked to religious bigotry. The number of hate crimes reported in FY 2020 was the highest since 2001, when a wave of Islamophobia followed the 9/11 attacks.
We want to draw everyone’s attention to the UI International Programs’ statement on Colleyville and to remind everyone of resources, mental health service options and safe spaces available to our students affected by these events.
BUILD/BGC/DEI training opportunities
There are still available seats in the following workshops:
BUILD: Beyond the Numbers-Foundations for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
BUILD: Fostering Your CQ Framework
BUILD: Making the Paradigm Shift – From Diversity to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
BUILD: Theory to Practice – Engaging with Different Types of Activism
BGC: Introduction to Building Our Global Community
NCBI: Conflict and Controversial Issues
February – Events and Observances
February is African-American History Month
In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson instituted the first week-long celebration to raise awareness of African Americans' contributions to history. Fifty years later, the week became a month, and today February is celebrated as African American History Month/Black History Month.
The month of February was chosen because it celebrates the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both of whom dramatically affected the lives of African Americans. Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) was a writer, lecturer, editor, and civil rights activist who escaped slavery at age 21 and went on to campaign for the abolition of slavery, establish a newspaper, and hold the office of Minister to Haiti. He was a major voice in the anti-slavery/civil rights movement of his time. Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865), as the sixteenth president of the United States, issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, thereby declaring that all slaves within the Confederacy would be permanently free.
Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH) founded by Dr. Woodson, sets the theme for the month. The theme for 2022 focuses on “Black Health and Wellness”.
National Freedom Day – February 1st
National Freedom Day is a United States observance on February 1st, honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later was ratified as the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865. It was not ratified by the states, however, until later on December 18, 1865.
Lunar New Year (Year of the Tiger) – February 1st
The Lunar New Year , also called the Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year in the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of twelve zodiac animals included in the cycle of twelve stations or “signs” along the apparent path of the sun through the cosmos. Find out more about them and about your own Zodiac sign here.
The Year of the Water Tiger starts from February 1st, 2022 and ends on January 21st, 2023.
Imbolc – February 1st
Imbolc or Imbolg, also called Saint Brigid's Day, in the Celtic seasonal calendar marks the beginning of Spring. It is Feile Brighde, the 'quickening of the year'. For Christians this represents the feast day of Saint Brigid/St. Bridget. It is celebrated from February 1st through sundown on February 2nd. Imbolc is meant to mark the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It symbolizes letting go of the past and looking into the future. It celebrates fire, light and the return of life in the changing of the seasons.
Rosa Parks Day – February 4th
Rosa Parks Day honors the American Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks, and it is celebrated in the U.S. states of California and Missouri on her birthday, February 4th, and in Ohio and Oregon on the day she was arrested, December 1st. Rosa Parks Day was created by the California State Legislature and it was first celebrated in 2000.
Safer Internet Day – February 8th
Safer Internet Day is an international education and awareness-raising effort, celebrated in over 100 countries. This is a day to bring communities together to discuss challenges families face navigating the digital world, and to empower them to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively.
February 8th, 2022 marks the 19th edition of Safer Internet Day, with the theme "Together for a better internet”.
International Day for Women and Girls in Science – February 11th
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science recognizes the role of women and girls in science, not only as beneficiaries, but also as agents of change.
On 14 March 2011, the Commission on the Status of Women adopted a report at its fifty-fifth session, with agreed conclusions on access and participation of women and girls in education, training and science and technology, and for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work. On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on science, technology and innovation for development, in which it recognized that full and equal access to and participation in science, technology and innovation for women and girls of all ages is imperative for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The 2022 Theme for this Day is “Water Unites Us”.
National Freedom to Marry Day – February 12th
The liberty to marry someone of the same sex is celebrated on National Freedom to Marry Day on February 12. Since 1999, this unofficial holiday has been fighting for love and promoting equal rights to marriage for the LGBTQ community.
Valentine’s Day – February 14th
Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. The origins of this day contain vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Saint Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. Some believe that Valentine’s Day commemorates the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial. Others believe that Valentine’s Day replaces the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture and to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
Regardless of its origins, this day has currently become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.
Singles Awareness Day – February 15th
Singles Awareness Day is celebrated on February 15 each year. Around 2001, Dustin Barnes decided to create a day for his group of friends to enjoy their singleness. This group of high school boys not only chose February 15 as a protest of Valentine’s Day, but also realized they could buy candy and love-themed items at a big discount.
Now adults of all ages celebrate the day as a reminder that they do not need a romantic relationship to celebrate love, because love comes in many forms, such as love for their family and friends.
Nirvana Day – February 15th
Nirvana Day refers to an annual Buddhist festival that is celebrated on February 15th in commemoration of the death of Buddha at the age of 80 years when he reached Nirvana. Also known as Parinirvana, Nirvana is believed to be the end of the cycle of death and rebirth. Buddhism faith teaches that a state of Nirvana is achieved when one gets rid of suffering and need.
Susan B. Anthony Day – February 15th
Susan B Anthony was one of the most visible leaders of the women’s suffrage movement. She championed temperance, abolition, rights of labor, and equal pay for equal work.
National Random Acts of Kindness Day – February 17th
Celebrated on February 17th, National Random Acts of Kindness Day has grown in popularity each year. It is celebrated by individuals, groups and organizations, nationwide, to encourage acts of kindness.
President’s Day – February 19th
Presidents' Day, originally George Washington's Birthday, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February to honor all past and present United States presidents. Like Independence Day, Presidents' Day is traditionally viewed as a time of patriotic celebration and remembrance.
World Day of Social Justice – February 20th
Every year on February 20th, the World Day of Social Justice promotes the importance of fair and just relations between the individual and society. The day also tackles issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender equality, human rights, and social protections.
Festival of Ayyam-i-Ha – February 25th - March 1st
Ayyam-i-Ha means “Days of Ha” and it has been translated into English as “Intercalary Days” which literally means that they are days inserted into the calendar. Unlike the majority of Baha’i holy days that either celebrate joyous historical events or commemorate sorrowful dates of significance, Ayyam-i-Ha is a festival of the attributes of generosity, hospitality, love, charity, compassion, of praising God and friendship. It precedes and stands in contrast to the Fast, a time of abstinence and inner contemplation and transformation.