The Alliance for Visible Diversity in Science (AVDS) focuses on one central mission - to increase racial and ethnic equity within the research programs at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) by recruiting, retaining, and most importantly, supporting PEER (People Excluded based on Ethnicity and Race) graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty members.
We recognize and reflect the important notion that in order to increase diversity on our campus, we must make targeted, deliberate, and measurable efforts to create an environment that not only welcomes, but encourages a diverse population of people.
In modern science research, academic success and scientific breakthrough rests on our utilization of multifaceted approaches and perspectives. By cultivating visible diversity, we believe that the exposure to a variety of ideas and collective experiences will foster creativity and relationships - enriching our academic environment and strengthen our scientific community as a whole.
We recognize and reflect the important notion that in order to increase diversity on our campus, we must make targeted, deliberate, and measurable efforts to create an environment that not only welcomes, but encourages a diverse population of people.
In modern science research, academic success and scientific breakthrough rests on our utilization of multifaceted approaches and perspectives. By cultivating visible diversity, we believe that the exposure to a variety of ideas and collective experiences will foster creativity and relationships - enriching our academic environment and strengthen our scientific community as a whole.
The Alliance for Visible Diversity in Science is a collective of individuals with diverse views, joined by their commitment to increase participation of underrepresented minorities in the sciences. AVDS executes its mission in a collaborative and democratic manner. Therefore, no individual’s opinions are representative of AVDS as a whole.
Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) Liaisons
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Letisha Wyatt
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Antoinette Foster
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Sarah Kissiwaa
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Letisha R. Wyatt, PhD (Director of Diversity in Research in the OHSU Office of the Senior Vice President for Research) is also the AVDS Historian. To learn more about Dr. Wyatt, see above.
Antoinette Foster, PhD is the Director of Community Transformation in the newly formed Racial Equity and Inclusion Center where she aims to directly impact internalized and interpersonal racism by empowering community members to become active agents of change. This position focuses heavily on creating culture shifts by using a racial equity lens to assess the current institutional culture, determine cultural values and processes incongruent with racial equity, and develop strategic pathways to align cultural norms and practices with a racially inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty.
Sara Kissiwaa, PhD is also the AVDS Education Committee co-chair. To learn more about Dr. Kissiwaa, see above.
Antoinette Foster, PhD is the Director of Community Transformation in the newly formed Racial Equity and Inclusion Center where she aims to directly impact internalized and interpersonal racism by empowering community members to become active agents of change. This position focuses heavily on creating culture shifts by using a racial equity lens to assess the current institutional culture, determine cultural values and processes incongruent with racial equity, and develop strategic pathways to align cultural norms and practices with a racially inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty.
Sara Kissiwaa, PhD is also the AVDS Education Committee co-chair. To learn more about Dr. Kissiwaa, see above.
Interested in being a part of our steering committee, a department or program liaison, or get involved in some capacity? We are always looking for more people interested in moving forward with our mission! Click here to learn about how AVDS is organized, and how to get involved. (Please send all other inquires to [email protected])
