THE OFFICE OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
MISSION
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) is committed to and responsible for institution-wide
leadership to build, strengthen, and sustain a culturally conscious and responsive environment. The office
provides resources, coaching, consultation, and strategies to help lead the college and conservatory and its
diverse community toward a more equitable and just future through policy, classroom practices, activities and
addressing workplace climate.
In addition to OEDI, the equity, diversity, and inclusion mission of the College is fulfilled through policies,
protocols, support services, committees, and leadership teams.
- Strategic Coaching & Support
- EDI Resources, Programs, & Support At The College
- Land Acknowledgement & Beyond Committee
- Culturally Responsive Syllabi
STAFF
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VICE PRESIDENT OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
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DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY & CULTURAL CREATIVE INITIATIVES
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DIRECTOR OF LEARNING AND EQUITY
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DIRECTOR OF ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is committed to and responsible for institution-wide leadership to
build, strengthen, and sustain a culturally conscious and responsive environment. The office provides resources,
coaching, consultation, and strategies to help lead the college and conservatory and its diverse community
toward a more equitable and just future through policy, classroom practices, activities and addressing workplace
climate.
POLICIES & PROTOCOLS
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
AMDA is committed to dismantling existing structures that historically exclude and oppress minoritized groups.
This commitment requires each of us to take responsibility to actively grow and preserve AMDA’s diverse
community and culture. As such, AMDA will actively elevate and prioritize equity, diversity, inclusion, and
belonging in our curriculum, creative productions, services, and administration. Most crucially, we will
continue to work towards the recruitment, retention, and advancement of students, faculty, and staff from
underrepresented populations in higher education and the performing arts.
PHILOSOPHY AND STANDARDS REGARDING CASTING PRACTICES
At AMDA, we are committed to creating and upholding the best standards and practices regarding casting for our
students in our classrooms, on our stages, and for our on-camera work. We hope one day soon to see these
standards and practices realized across platforms for performing artists including Broadway, national and
international stages, film and television.
Click here to view our full casting policy.
Reporting
BIAS-INCIDENTS
AMDA dedicates itself to maintaining an inclusive and equitable climate for all people. Our commitment within our
Diversity Statement requires each of us to take responsibility to actively grow and preserve AMDA’s diverse
community and culture. Diversity is deeply beneficial to higher education and the performing arts as its
recognition prepares students, faculty, and staff to better engage with larger communities and society.
As such, AMDA commits to actively supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and acceptance in our education,
creative productions, services, and administration. Accordingly, AMDA rejects and condemns all forms of
harassment, wrongful discrimination and disrespect, and expects that this core value be reflected in the
behaviors of all its employees and students. A number of college, state, and federal policies reflect and
elaborate upon this standard, including AMDA’s Non-Discrimination Policy as well as Title VI and Title VII of
the Federal Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended, as well as Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and other state law (NY State / CA State)
As explained in our Non-Discrimination Policy, AMDA strictly prohibits discrimination against any person on the
basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or status,
marital, parental, familial, veteran, or military service status, political affiliation, age, or disability. As
explained in all the AMDA Code of Conduct policies (please see Student Handbook, Faculty Handbook, or Staff
Handbook for more information), if an employee or student is found to be in violation of any such policies, they
are subject to disciplinary sanctions ranging from a disciplinary warning up to and including separation from
employment or dismissal.
TITLE IX
AMDA is committed to providing an academic environment free from sex discrimination, where all members of the
school community are treated with respect and dignity. Sex discrimination includes both sexual and gender based
harassment and violence. All members of the AMDA community, including students, employees, and third parties,
are protected under this policy.
Click
here to view Title IX policies, resources, and information.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
The mission of AMDA's
Accessibility Services Office is to ensure that all students are afforded an equal opportunity to fully
participate in and benefit from AMDA's performing arts education and diverse community of creative artists. We
believe that disability is an integral part of the diversity of experience that fuels creative excellence.
Therefore, it is our goal to remove access barriers to allow every student to reach their fullest potential.
Services and Resources Provided by the Office include:
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Students +−
- Assessment of eligibility for disability accommodations, including both classroom and
residential accommodations
- Tips, resources, and strategies to manage any difficulties that may not rise to the level of
requiring official accommodations
- Staff support for student-led alliances surrounding disability rights, awareness, support,
and/or advocacy
- Assistance with developing self-advocacy skills and communicating with instructors and peers
- Assistance for disabled students within other AMDA meetings where extra support, presence, or
advocacy may be needed
- Help finding local resources to utilize after graduation from AMDA
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Faculty/Staff +−
- Regular trainings and professional development opportunities to ensure that faculty and staff
have the tools to teach inclusively
- One-on-one assistance with effectively incorporating student needs into unique courses and
teaching styles
- Information to reference on the Faculty Dashboard including FAQs, communication tips, resources
for universal design, and a changing library of videos including performances involving disabled
performers and talks by disabled panelists/speakers
- Consultation regarding incorporating the needs of disabled students into curricula, programs,
events, performances, and other AMDA programming
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT
International Student Services is committed to providing support to international students to achieve their
educational goals while enrolled at AMDA. International Student Services assists with immigration and visa
processes in compliance with government rules regarding student visas. The office provides referrals to
resources and serves as an advocate for international students as they pursue their education in the United
States. International student advisors are available to work with students prior to enrollment and during their
time at AMDA to offer support and guidance.
For questions or if you need support, please contact the International Student Office:
NY: InternationalNY@amda.edu
LA: InternationalLA@amda.edu
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR
Calendar of Events
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Summer 2022 +−
Faculty & Staff should check their AMDA email for information about signing up!
Navigating Triggers facilitated by Chianti Blackmon (she/her/ella)
When was the last time you were triggered? Many times we are on autopilot and react to triggers in ways that are counterproductive to our goals. This interactive workshop aims to develop participants’ skills when identifying and navigating triggers, specifically within interactions across differences. This includes comments, behaviors, and exchanges with students, as well as colleagues. This is a one-part training, open to all staff & faculty.
Thursday, July 14, 2022: 8am-10am PT/11am-1pm ET
Monday, August 22, 2022: 10am-12pm PT/1pm-3pm ET
Accessibility At AMDA: Your Role in Helping Create an Accessible and Inclusive Campus Community facilitated by Hannah Enenbach (she/her/hers)
This training provides AMDA faculty and staff with the tools necessary to create an accessible and inclusive environment for students and colleagues with disabilities. Participants will review what disability accommodations are, how they are requested, and how they are provided at AMDA. Breakout discussions will address additional ways you can support and be inclusive of students with disabilities in your classroom or office. Participants will learn what services the Accessibility Office provides (it’s not just accommodations!), when/how to refer students, and tips for effective communication with your students with disabilities. This training is required for all members of our community, even if you have attended an Accessibility Services training before 2022.
Wednesday, July 6, 2022: 8am-9:30am PT/11am-12:30pm PT
Tuesday, July 12, 2022: 5pm-6:30pm PT/8pm-9:30pm ET
Equity & Inclusive Leadership facilitated by Chianti Blackmon (she/her/ella)
This session will focus on knowledge building around our EDI policies and procedures, explore opportunities for growth as an inclusive leader and build out your EDI toolkit from a leadership perspective. This is a two-part training required for Directors, Managers, Division Chairs, Academic Department Directors, and any others who supervise.
Part 1
Thursday, July 21, 2022: 2pm-4pm PT/5pm-7pm ET
Monday, July 25, 2022: 8am-10am PT/11am-1pm ET
Monday, August 15, 2022: 12pm-2pm PT/ 3pm-5pm ET
Part 2
Thursday, August 4, 2022: 11am-1pm PT/2pm-4pm ET
Monday, September 12, 2022: 1pm-3pm PT/4pm-6pm ET
Thursday, September 22, 2022: 8am-10am PT/11am-1pm PT
New! LGBTQIA+ Offerings facilitated by Andy Cofino (he/him)
It's likely been a while since you participated in Allyship at AMDA, so we're offering a 90 minute refresher, which includes a review of the basics as well as some updated terminology and information. This session is also great for folks who are newer to AMDA and have not yet engaged in this topic. Plus a brand new session dedicated to pronouns: how to navigate usage, what to do if you make a mistake, and best practices. Open to all staff & faculty.
Friday, July 22, 2022: 8am-9:30am PT/11am-12:30pm ET - Refresher: LGBTQIA+ Allyship
Thursday, July 28, 2022: 1pm-2:30pm PT/4pm-5:30pm ET - Getting Pronouns Right
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Fall 2021 +−
Listening Circles
The goal of listening circles is to discover, clarify and record themes regarding employee/student perception of and reaction to the climate at AMDA. Climate is defined as the experience of individuals and groups on a campus and the quality and extent of the interaction between those various groups and individuals. A healthy campus climate is not the same as a positive climate, or a climate that is always comfortable. These circles aim to include as much of the campus as possible in the development of the strategic EDI plan.
Anti-Racism Series (3 parts)
- Why Now: AMDA, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion
- The Role of Faculty & Staff in Navigating Hot Button Triggers in Difficult Interactions Across Difference
- Building Skills - Interrupting Perfectionism, Individualism, Defensiveness, & Other Tools of Internalized Dominance
LGBTQIA+ Allyship Series (2 parts)
LGBTQIA+, and specifically trans, nonbinary and gender non-conforming students are increasingly comfortable being out on college campuses, but often are frustrated or let down by staff and faculty members’ lack of knowledge or discomfort about their identities and experiences. Staff and faculty who can address the needs of LGBQ and trans and nonbinary individuals can make a huge difference inside and outside the classroom.
Accessibility at AMDA: Your Role and How Accessibility Services Can Support You
Coming in 2022!
Please check your inbox for more details about upcoming training and development opportunities. Calendar of
future offerings coming soon!
