DDEEA establishes Office of Strategic Diversity Planning and Research (OSDPR)

The newly-formed Office of Strategic Diversity Planning and Research (OSDPR) is now a unit of the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA).  Formerly the Diversity and Climate Researcher Unit, the OSDPR is responsible for research, evaluation, and assessment actions, leading quality improvement activities and supporting internal and external reviews for both internal and external stakeholders.

The OSDPR will specifically support DDEEA by:

  1. Supporting thought leadership in the area of DEI strategic planning and execution;
  2. Monitoring the implementation of the campus’ strategic diversity framework and accompanying R.E.E.L. Change document;
  3. Aligning divisional offices and programs with the Strategic Priorities of the DDEEA and the Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion.

The OSDPR staff includes:

Torsheika Maddox, Director of the Office of Strategic Diversity Planning and Research

The Director of the OSDPR directs teams responsible for research, evaluation, and assessment actions, leading quality improvement activities and supporting auditing and monitoring both internally and by external organizations. The Director of the OSDPR will oversee the systematic monitoring of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) performance goals relative to the alignment of units within DDEEA to the Divisional Strategic Plan and other campus offices/units alignment with the strategic diversity plan, when necessary, conveying findings to the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion (DVCDI) and Assistant Vice Provosts (AVP) to assist in the development of strategic initiatives to improve campus diversity, equity, and inclusion. This position works closely with a variety of stakeholders coordinating the reporting of DEI activities, and supporting the DVCDI in the strategic planning efforts across the enterprise. This includes establishing, meeting, and continuously monitoring the goals and objectives of units connected with the Strategic Diversity Framework, including units within DDEEA, for alignment with the strategic goals and objectives set by the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO).

James Yonker, Diversity & Climate Researcher & Projects Manager (DCRPM)

James Yonker has also been promoted to Diversity & Climate Researcher & Projects Manager (DCRPM) in recognition of the leading role Yonker plays relative to the research and climate survey infrastructure. In his new role he will support the work of the OSDPR in the following areas: data science, research, and shared governance & campus-wide coordination. James will support the OSDPR in turning divisional data into valuable and actionable improvements, provide expertise and applied statistical and analytical approaches to solve critical diversity research and planning problems, and producing academic scholarship (manuscripts, white papers, reports), with UW–Madison as the context. The DCRPM will also make recommendations about divisional research policies, procedures, and methodologies, liaise with internal and external stakeholders regarding campus climate, to enhance the cross-communication and collaborative relationships between the DDEEA, OSDPR, shared governance groups, working committees, task forces, etc. He will supervise the day-to-day activities of staff and student interns to include performance counseling and reviews, maintaining records of such reviews, and resolving routine personnel issues, while also assisting in the execution of the strategic plan for the office.

Rosie Bae, Research Analyst II

Rosie Bae has been hired to serve as the Research Analyst II in the newly-formed OSDPR (more on that in a moment). Bae will support the work of the OSDPR and the Diversity & Climate Researcher & Projects Manager (DCRPM).  Bae has a wealth of experience and will be developing and implementing processes, analyzing data, and summarizing complex research results among other things.

Dadao Hou, Research Analyst II and Affirmative Action Officer

Now completing his first year in DDEEA, Dadao Hou has been promoted to Research Analyst II in the Office of Affirmative Action Planning and Programming (OAAPP)!  With my transition, OAPP will report up to the OVPCDO through the newly formed Office of Strategic Diversity Planning, but will retain its same function as the hub of our Affirmative Action, Veterans, and Disability Reporting Compliance Obligations.  This will mean more responsibility for Hou, who will also serve as the Affirmative Action Officer for the campus, ensuring proper oversight for the $1B research portfolio through compliance activities.