Diversity, Equity and Access

The Coalition for Antiracism and Equity (CARE) is a standing committee within the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences (CDS). The CARE committee was developed to examine and elevate the diversity, equity, and access standards within the CDS Department. The CARE committee aims to foster a community of shared respect and belonging for all students, faculty, and staff through broadening our collective understanding of diverse cultures, identities, and perspectives.

• Nichol Castro (Chair)
• Mishaela DiNino
• Erin Wilson

• Continue to seek student feedback regarding how we can improve diversity, access, and equity through Town Hall listening sessions, Departmental surveys, and calls for action to the Department through the CARE email account (CDS_CARE@buffalo.edu)
• Review institutional data to identify barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of minority students in our Department.  
• Examine undergraduate and graduate curriculum in order to identify opportunities to better integrate multicultural coursework. 
• Organize faculty training opportunities that promote inclusive teaching practices and improve minority access, equity, and success.
• Organize student and faculty training opportunities that promote anti-racism, culturally-sensitive patient care, and understanding and respect of diverse identities, perspectives, and experiences.
• Increase diversity among our student body, faculty, and staff through the recruitment of racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse candidates

CLIMB is a lecture series focused on why and how to implement changes related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in education, research, and clinical practice. 

Invited speakers visit UB and the CDS department, providing talks on their research and DEIB efforts. They also meet with students, faculty, and department leadership. We value and appreciate the time and knowledge of our speakers!

• Dr. Hope Gerlach-Houck, Associate Professor and Director of the Stuttering and Psychosocial Outcomes Research Lab at Western Michigan University - Coming Spring 2025!
• Dr. Kyomi Gregory-Martin, Associate Professor at Pace University - Coming Spring 2026!

• Dr. Monita Chatterjee, Senior Scientist and Director of the Auditory Prostheses and Perception Lab at Boys Town National Research Hospital - CLIMB Talks

Our students are exemplary models for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the local community and the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders! To acknowledge their efforts, we award students the DEIA in CDS Award annually. We are grateful for their service!