Plan to Enhance Diversity

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The proposed Plan to Enhance Diversity (PED) at the University of Kentucky (UK) Markey Cancer Center (MCC) under the leadership of Dr. Lovoria Williams (CP) applies an equity lens to MCC’s comprehensive mission to reduce the cancer burden with a focus on Kentucky and its most vulnerable populations through research, prevention, treatment, education and community engagement. As the MCC inaugural Associate Director (AD) for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Williams (CP) has a prominent role with direct reporting to MCC Director Dr. B. Mark Evers (TO) as part of MCC’s priority on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within a highly collaborative senior leadership team. DEI efforts are fully integrated into MCC’s FY24-28 Strategic Plan, with a dedicated pillar of activity. PED is supported by DEI Coordinator Ms. Tianna Acree and operates collaboratively with Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) and MCC Administration. PED builds on early DEI successes that established a DEI Committee, leveraged campus-wide trainee and faculty career-enhancing programs (such as NIH-funded T32s), and applied a highly successful model of rural- focused cancer research education to the development of new dynamic DEI-focused pathway programs led by CRTEC. Moreover, MCC’s Leadership and members are participating in training in foundational DEI and health equity education that will prepare them to cultivate diverse, inclusive environments. The overall objectives of PED are to integrate DEI throughout the fabric of the MCC and to promote a climate that advances inclusive excellence in cancer research, education and community outreach. Three Specific Aims of the proposed PED are to: 1) Enhance participation of underrepresented minority (URM) and women trainees, staff and faculty in the cancer center. To achieve this Aim, we plan on developing equitable processes to bolster, implement and sustain efforts to recruit, retain and develop diverse talent; 2) Accelerate the career and leadership development of women and URM early career faculty. This Aim will be accomplished by leveraging internal and national research and leadership development programs to support career and research agendas, increasing engagement in MCC decision-making processes and developing a new leadership academy; 3) Establish a sustainable infrastructure to advance DEI throughout the MCC and criteria for monitoring progress toward achievement of diversity goals. This Aim will be achieved by maintaining the MCC DEI Committee, coalescing DEI resources, providing DEI training and developing appropriate methods and timepoints to evaluate fidelity to the methods proposed under each Specific Aim and track DEI progress. Baseline demographic data of MCC members, trainees and staff will allow the examination of data gaps. With continued CCSG support, MCC will build on early successes and MCC’s strong infrastructure and will leverage institutional commitment to advance workforce diversity of trainees, research staff, faculty and leaders reflective of the statewide Kentucky catchment area and eventually the nation.