The Aspire Alliance IChange Network and APLU member, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, recently announced their integrated DEI case framework for faculty promotion and tenure guidelines. As institutions across the country explore how to reward and value the important work that faculty do to create inclusive and welcoming campus environments for students and colleagues, IUPUI’s approach is one exciting possibility for other campuses to explore.

"I want to learn and be part of the change," Lemper-Manahl said about adding the college peer mentor role. "I'm here to help others, and when the college hires more term faculty, I'm going to be right there with them."

While action has been taken to improve the diversity of Iowa State’s student population, the faculty is made up predominantly of white professors. Some within the faculty and student body feel more can be done regarding the diversity of Iowa State’s faculty.

“The student body is far more diverse than the faculty,” said Brian Behnken, a professor in the department of history. “It’s always a thing to talk about. It’s always a thing we want to do better with, but then we look at the numbers, and it doesn’t seem like we actually make that much progress.”