Fulton joins Diversity Leadership Team to focus on enhancing campus climate

Professor Joan Fulton has been appointed as the 2016-17 provost fellow for diversity and inclusion. Fulton is a professor of agricultural economics in the College of Agriculture and a former chair of the University Senate. She takes on this role as Ximena Arriaga, professor of psychological sciences, and Venetria Patton, head of interdisciplinary studies and professor of English and African American studies, complete their one-year terms as provost fellows for diversity and inclusion and return to their respective departments.

Arriaga and Patton helped to establish the Diversity Leadership Team for Purdue together with Mark Smith, dean of the Graduate School, and Deba Dutta, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity.

"I wish to personally thank professors Arriaga and Patton for their significant contributions toward enhancing diversity and inclusion at Purdue," Dutta says. "Together we reimagined the possibilities and pondered how to overcome the challenges and constraints within which this important work must continue. Professors Arriaga and Patton made sure this vital area received the thoughtful consideration it needed while our students received the ongoing attention they deserve."

During their time as provost fellows, professors Arriaga and Patton led or participated in numerous events, activities and meetings, including the Diversity Transformation Awards (DTA) competition, which included 66 presentations and resulted in 12 DTA programs; the Advisory Committee for Diversity, which resulted in recommendations and action items for campus-wide enhancements; and monthly roundtables with students who explored ideas and issues around diversity and inclusion.

"Progress in diversity and inclusion is crucial to enhancing Purdue's institutional excellence and the Purdue experience for all students," says Smith, who, with Dutta and Fulton, will continue this important work.