Signature Events

Cultural Spring Break Trip

The Cultural Spring Break Trip provides students with an opportunity to discuss, explore and address social issues through a cross-cultural lens. Every year a different location and social issue is determined. Through pre-trip meetings, community service and discussions with local community members, students will develop a better understanding of the area.

As a result of participating, participants will be able to:

• Engage with diverse community partners to learn how their organization is addressing equity.
• Provide support to local nonprofit organizations.
• Develop an appreciation for the history and culture in the region to understand and communicate equity issues in higher education.

Gateways Pre-Orientation

A comprehensive pre-orientation program is an experience open to all students. It is intended to touch on social and academic topics related explicitly to historically underrepresented populations to build community and ensure a successful transition into the UT community. First-year and transfer students have the chance to begin their Spartan Ready journey early by connecting with their peers, faculty and staff around a specialized topic before their first semester at UT.

This cohort-based program utilizes a variety of Spartan Ready competencies in creative and innovative ways to support student's transition to UT. The 2022 cohorts focused on first-generation college students, students in the STEAM fields, and social justice and advocacy.

History and Heritage Months

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) installed a history and heritage committee comprised of students, staff and faculty. This committee plans University-wide programming that celebrates and honors diverse social and educational experiences. The committee will complement the efforts of other student groups and departments, with the intention of collaboration, co-sponsorship, cross-marketing and planning. The committee is responsible for developing an institutional theme for the following history and heritage months.

• Hispanic Heritage
• LGBTQIA+
• Native American Heritage
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Black History
• Women's History
• Asian Pacific American

Life After UT

To increase the support and guidance for underrepresented students as they graduate, a series of workshops have been created in collaboration with campus partners. These workshops help students explore all post-graduation opportunities. The Junior Edition workshop, which is offered in the spring of the junior year, focuses on self-awareness, landing a job and post-graduation academic opportunities. The Senior Edition, offered during the fall of the senior year, focuses on navigating the transitional processes associated with leaving UT and with establishing oneself in new cities, jobs and professional communities.

MLK DEI Teach-In

In honor of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ODEI hosts an annual MLK DEI Teach-In to commemorate his societal impact and reflect on our progress as an institution. Historically, teach-ins are an extended session, as on a college or university campus, for lectures and forums on an important, usually controversial issue. Each year UT community members engage in a day of relevant scholarship and research, immersive reflection and community dialogue around key social issues and the value of diversity, equity and inclusion. Participants collectively envision a plan for building a more inclusive community for students, staff, and faculty.

Participants are invited to deepen their learning with the following four key learning goals.  The goal is to deepen our awareness, knowledge, skills, and actions needed to promote racial equity and justice on campus.

• Understand the impact of DEI in the UT community.
• Engage in intersectional and meaningful dialogue.
• Build community across differences.
• Cultivate a culture of equity and agency.

National First-Generation Student Week

In conjunction with the celebration of National First-Generation Student Day on Nov. 8, UT has committed to extended programming around the day to improve visibility and support for the first-generation community at UT, increase first-generation student engagement, and enhance first-generation student sense of belonging and community connection.

ODEI Community Retreat

The ODEI UT Community Retreat is a three-day intercultural, intergenerational and intersectional immersive community-building experience. This retreat is open to UT community members who want to dive deep into DEI concepts while cultivating everyday practices for allyship and social justice.

As a result of participating, participants will be able to:

• Identify their intersecting identities, experiences, and biases and how they relate to concepts of privilege and oppression.
• Enhance awareness around issues of social justice.
• Participate in activities that build cultural competence and community dialogue.
• Understand their role in cultivating strategies to build a positive and inclusive campus community.
• Develop partnerships for sustained community change.

Spartan Inclusion Series

The Spartan Inclusion Series is a sequential educational workshop designed to equip and empower UT community members to build their confidence around key DEI concepts and terms, to dialogue across differences and to reflect on their role in the process of social justice and inclusion.

• Level 1: Intro to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Participants engage in a foundational conversation on key DEI concepts and terms.
• Level 2: Navigating Difficult Conversations - Participants gain tools and strategies to dialogue across differences.
• Level 3: Power and Privilege - Participants engage in an interactive discussion and analysis of systems and structures of advantage and oppression.
• Level 4: Allyship to Action - Participants collaborate in a community goal-setting and action plan for disruption and allyship.

Success Scholars

The Success Scholars program supports first-generation and/or underrepresented college students at UT. This program, which grew out of the grant-funded Helios Scholars program, provides social, academic, and financial support to assist first-generation and underrepresented students in their adjustment to campus life. Students who opt into the program participate in social activities, workshops, academic support programs and service opportunities. They also maintain regular contact with their peer mentors. UT is recognized as a First-Gen Forward Institution by the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success for its commitment to first-generation student success, mainly due to the Success Scholars Program.

For more information please contact cdo@ut.edu or (813) 257-4017. For general information or assistance, contact the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion located in Plant Hall, Room 248.