Candidate Carmen Suarez kicks off vice president and Chief Diversity Officer forums
Dr. Carmen Suarez speaks at an open interview forum on March 19 in the UC auditorium.
Carmen Suarez drew on her background in education and as a Latina woman in her forums Monday for Central Michigan University’s vice president and Chief Diversity Officer.
Suarez was the first of four interviews within the next two weeks for the CMU’s new position.
Suarez has recently served as vice president of Global Diversity and Inclusion at Portland State University. She also was the chief diversity officer, associate vice provost for Student Affairs and director of Human Rights Accession and Inclusion.
She served as the assistant dean at the School of Law Career Services, interim assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management and director of the Office of Diversity and Equity at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she earned her doctorate of philosophy.
A Chicago native, Suarez said she self identifies at Latina and speaks both English and Spanish. She said she would like the relationship-building the VP/CDO position would bring.
Suarez said she wanted to move from Portland, Oregon because she likes traditional college towns. During her time at PSU, she said she worked with the university’s student government to get more student involvement.
If she were hired, Suarez said she would set up listening sessions and meet people around campus, attend programs, offer aid to students and build a diversity council. She said she wants to expand diversity in more fields like science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Suarez, who described her style as “direct,” said she is a strong advocate for a university affirmative action officer — having been one in the past — and similar programs. When asked how larger state and federal policy affects these, Suarez said programs can still exist without laws forcing them.
Suarez drew on her experience at University of Idaho as a way to engage with Native American groups in the Mount Pleasant area. Suarez described her time at University of Idaho as eye-opening and said the Saginaw Chippewa tribe’s presence was a “compelling” reason for her to join CMU.
“What does historical trauma mean?” Suarez said, remembering the questions she considered at the University of Idaho. “How do you learn about that as an outsider who hasn’t had to grow up with (the same issues Native Americans face)?”
Suarez also discussed her own experiences of discrimination that have been important in her life. Suarez shared her story of being called an anti-Latina slur in the third grade by another 8-year-old.
“It’s not about a bad little boy,” Suarez said. “It is about, how did a little child know that word and know how to use it effectively?
“(Being called this slur was) one of many of the things I experienced that bothered me — that made me feel less than fully participant and fully welcome,” Suarez said.
Suarez said these experiences gave her more empathy for others who may experience discrimination.
She note is also important when considering inclusion to listen to rural communities, Suarez said.
Inclusion needs to consider issues beyond just that of race and look at issues such as socioeconomic class, Suarez said.
“(After the election) our rural areas are telling us they don’t feel included,” Suarez said.
Suarez also critiqued what she sees as overly-harsh ways of discussing diversity issues.
“You can’t (effect change) if members of your community feel talked at or talked down to,” Suarez said.
Suarez said she agreed with the CMU Equity and Inclusion Task Force’s priority recommendations report but believes some of the steps could be taken even further. The full report is available on the “VP/Chief Diversity Officer Search” page on the CMU website, along with links to livestreams of candidate forums.
