Chastang’s position revolves around transparency and the goal of making TU a more inclusive and diverse institution.
Amanda Chastang, the new Office of Diversity and Engagement fellow on campus, is a staff resource and advocate/liaison for students. Chastang, alongside Jacqueline Higgs Caldwell, the vice president for diversity and engagement, is working on the University of Tulsa’s Diversity Action Plan to make sure everyone has an outstanding experience at TU.
Chastang received her Bachelor’s in Conflict Studies with a focus on Race, Ethnicity and Culture Conflict and Gender Conflict from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. After accomplishing this, she came to the University of Tulsa and received her Master’s in History with a focus on Race, Women and Gender Studies. She graduated from TU last year and is now working for the university as the new Office of Diversity and Engagement Fellow on campus.
The University of Tulsa’s Diversity Action Plan involves multiple action steps toward making TU a better university in regards of diversity and hospitality. According to the TU website, the Office of Diversity and Engagement works hard when “recruiting and retaining diverse students while also developing programs on campus to cultivate resources that nurture a diverse campus community.”
During an interview, Chastang talked about her goals, saying, “One of my main objectives in this new position is to increase the transparency of communication between students, student organizations and administrators, especially in regards to diversity.” To do this efficiently, Chastang spends her days in Collins Hall and nights in the office side of Hardesty on the first floor to work with all 31 multicultural organizations on campus.
Part of her job is to analyze what TU can do to be better to increase the comfortability of the campus climate and how to make that a reality. Chastang said she wants to make TU a “home away from home” so students can have an even better experience at TU, especially students with diverse backgrounds.
According to Chastang, TU is trying to be “transparent” toward students so they can feel comfortable when seeking help from the department. She wants students to know that the Office of Diversity and Engagement is a safe place for them and that their voices will be heard.
“Diversity has been a primary initiative on campus and my position helps to promote and engage the voices of students from diverse backgrounds with multiple facets across campus,” she said.
Chastang is ready to help students with all types of backgrounds on campus, saying, “I am here if students need someone to help guide them and support them when they need it.” TU students will be able to find Chastang at the Office of Diversity and Engagement in the Collins Hall, room 2160 or in the Hardesty Hall (Holmes) in the Multicultural Resource Center on the first floor.
