Dear DSA,

I am pleased to share with you today that Bethany Evans, Clinical Director for the Counseling Department, has accepted the position of co-chair of the DSA Diversity Council.

My thanks to Bethany for her willingness to take on this role especially at a time so fraught with pain, anger, and fatigue for Black people.

We have needed a Black voice in a leadership position on the council.

I am very grateful for the work of Tomas Sanchez and Melissa McGuire our two current co-chairs as well as the rest of the council.

Bethany has earned the respect of her peers and colleagues during her time in the Counseling Center and has shown great leadership and a commitment to support our staff.

This DSA Diversity Council provides advocacy, feedback, and action to increase support and resources for diversity and inclusion in our Division and I know Bethany will help lead those efforts admirably.

I want to be clear that this is but one of many steps we need to take to ensure that our Black students, staff, and faculty can thrive in a safe, inclusive, caring environment.

I have listened and learned much from all of you, our students, and alumni in the past couple of weeks.

I commit to you that the hard, crucial conversations must not and will not stop. From these conversations also will come the necessary, concrete actions it will take to bring change to our Division and University.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth With, Ed.D.