“For our University community to thrive, we are called to uphold a respect for diversity, a commitment to inclusion, and the continuous pursuit of equity. The work ahead is to ensure that our commitment to equity–across gender, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, age, and the range of identities that shape the lives of those in our community–is alive in our institutional practices and our campus culture.
John J. DeGioia, May 27, 2021
When we identify areas of improvement, whether in our practices or our policies, we have a shared responsibility to realize necessary change. This collective endeavor is embedded in our mission and identity and is encapsulated in our commitment to the Jesuit idea of cura personalis, a recognition of the individual experiences, perspectives, contributions, and challenges of each member of our community.”
Task Force Formation
In April 2018, the Task Force on Gender Equity formally began its work, chaired by Professor Jane Aiken (L’85), Vice Dean and Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. The Chair and members of the Task Force were appointed by the President. Members were identified through a process of consultation as well as a nomination process through the Faculty Senate. Members were requested to serve through the conclusion of the 2018-2019 Academic Year. At that time, the Task Force will present its report and recommendations to the President.
The Task Force was charged with four key areas of work:
- Studying best practices that have contributed to improved gender equity among faculty and senior leadership;
- Assessing our institutional practices and how they impact gender equity among faculty and senior leadership;
- Recommending specific, actionable steps that Georgetown can take to promote gender equity among faculty and senior leadership in the near, medium and long-term; and,
- Recommending mechanisms for accountability to measure the impact of the steps taken toward achieving gender equity and to sustain the progress that is achieved.
In each of these areas, the Task Force sought to recognize and reflect on the diverse experiences that comprise our community and the many ways that different identities and backgrounds intersect with gender.
Aspects of the Task Force’s explorations included hiring, retention, rank and promotion processes; salary and compensation; opportunities for recognition; service responsibilities; leadership roles and pathways to leadership as well as community and culture.
The Task Force was encouraged to call on additional members of the Georgetown community in conducting its work through an advisory group, community forums, and other configurations that the Chair deems appropriate. Our Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity, Rosemary Kilkenny (L’87), and our Vice President and General Counsel, Lisa Brown, were available as resources to the Task Force. The Task Force considered relevant data and may engage a statistician to support its work.
Task Force on Gender Equity Report
The full report and recommendations of the Task Force on Gender Equity was published in May 2021.
Read the full reportTask Force Members
The Task Force was composed of representatives from across each of Georgetown’s campuses.
Chairs
- Soyica Diggs Colbert (C’01), Ph.D., Interim Dean, Georgetown College; Idol Family Professor of African American Studies and Theater and Performance Studies (Chair; June 2019 – May 2021)
- Jane Aiken (LLM’85), J.D., Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center (Dean and Professor of Law, Wake Forest Law) (Chair; April 2018 – May 2019)
Members
- Reena Aggarwal, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Faculty; Robert E. McDonough Professor of Finance, McDonough School of Business
- Katherine Benton-Cohen, Ph.D., Professor, Department of History
- David Edelstein, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government; Vice Dean of Faculty, Georgetown College
- Nada Eissa, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Public Policy and Economics, McCourt School of Public Policy
- Kristi Graves, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center
- Carole Roan Gresenz, Ph.D., Interim Dean and Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor in the Department of Health Systems Administration, School of Nursing & Health Studies
- Jose Luis Guerrero Cusumano, Ph.D., Associate Professor, McDonough School of Business
- Charles King, D. Phil., Professor of International Affairs and Government, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service; Chair, Department of Government
- Patricia King, J.D., Professor of Law Emeritus, Georgetown University Law Center
- Lisa Krim, J.D., Senior Advisor to the President for Faculty Relations
- Michelle Ohnona, Ph.D., Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, CNDLS; Adjunct Faculty in Women’s and Gender Studies and MA Program in Learning, Design and Technology
- Kathryn Olesko, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Science, Technology and International Affairs, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service; Department of History
- Samantha Pinto, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Departments of African American Studies and English (April 2018 – June 2019)
- Elena Silva, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biology and Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience; Vice Dean of Graduate Affairs and Diversity and Inclusion
- Lisa Singh, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Computer Science; Research Professor, Massive Data Institute, McCourt School of Public Policy
- Ed Soule, Ph.D., Associate Professor, McDonough School of Business
- Deborah Tannen, Ph.D., University Professor
- Miriam Toporowicz, M.D., M.P.H., Professor, Department of Pediatrics; Chief of the Division of International Health Programs, Georgetown University Medical Center
- Judy Huei-Yu Wang, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center
- Jamillah Bowman Williams (B’03), J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center
- Edilma L. Yearwood, Ph.D., PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Associate Professor of Nursing; Chair, Department of Professional Nursing Practice, School of Nursing & Health Studies
Special Advisors
- Lisa Brown, J.D., Vice President and General Counsel
- Rosemary Kilkenny (L’87), J.D., Vice President for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Messages to the Community and News
Georgetown Takes New Steps to Advance Gender Equity Among Faculty Following Task Force Report
May 27, 2021
Gender Equity Among Faculty, Senior Leaders Focus of New Task Force
April 13, 2018
Announcing Appointment and Charge of the Task Force on Gender Equity
April 13, 2018