Ramirez challenges students to speak the unspoken

Author: Alina Levina

Shirley Ramirez was recently appointed Middlebury's Dean of Institutional Diversity, a position created at the recommendation of the Human Relations Committee. Ramirez, a Latina clinical psychologist from New York City and former Executive Vice President of The Posse Foundation, moved to Middlebury to guide the College towards a model of diversity in higher education on a national level.


The Middlebury Campus: Why Middlebury College?

Shirley Ramirez: Everyone says that Middlebury is a special place. I have to be honest that I was working in my dream job as executive vice president of the Posse Foundation, where I had the opportunity to impact higher education in a very dynamic way as an outsider. During my six year tenure, I was able to really see what some of the leading institutions were doing about issues relating to diversity. It became clear to me that I needed to be inside an institution that was well-positioned to become a model in addressing important issues relating to diversity.

I do feel that Middlebury is that kind of place and that I am currently in a position that has the support to make some bold moves. Middlebury, like Posse, has this infectious kind of quality. You meet people that say, regardless of their background, that this place transformed them and is deeply embedded in their identity. I was drawn to going to another place that was able to transform people. Years and years later alumni still light up when speaking about Middlebury. That impresses me and I want so many others to follow in their footsteps.

TC: How would you define diversity?

SR: I see diversity as completely inclusive. Diversity is a term that has unfortunately lost its value. People think about it as a sound bite, something people are only verbally committed to and not taking seriously. I view diversity as inclusive and multi-dimensional. It factors in all aspects of people's identity including socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, language, thought and so many other things. Diversity, unfortunately, is often equated with minority, race and ethnicity only. A truly diverse campus and community provides an environment that is truly an academically and socially engaged place.

TC: What are your goals for addressing diversity at Middlebury?

SR: I am fortunate to come into this position with the Human Relations Committee report completed with over 30 recommendations that were compiled from the Middlebury community in 2006. I am using this report as a platform. It is important to note that this report is not an exhaustive list. I hope to bring my expertise to move forward on additional diversity initiatives at the College. Part of my job now is to determine what recommendations we are going to endorse and how we are going to prioritize them. I will be communicating with the Middlebury community on the progress of these initiatives. There are three areas that I have identified within my seven weeks that I believe are important areas to work on immediately - diversity among the faculty and in the curriculum, redefining our harassment policy and making sure that it's clear and inclusive of all forms of harassment and that our protocol to deal with these critical incidents is sensitive, clear, and responsible. Finally, I hope to develop a center on campus that academically engages students and faculty with issues related to diversity and intercultural awareness of race, ethnicity, gender and religion. This place would be inter-disciplinary and academically vibrant. I am currently pulling together a faculty working group to support me in this effort.

TC: What made you choose diversity work? What prompted you to go into it?

SR: My personal background contributes greatly to how I perceive diversity. I am a first generation Dominican-American. My parents are from the Dominican Republic, my dad drove a New York City cab for 37 years and my mom was a secretary and factory worker. I am the first person in my immediate family to go to college. I never imagined as a high school student that I would someday earn my doctorate in clinical psychology from Duke University. Having the incredible opportunity to get an education at some of the most elite institutions in the country was life changing. My personal experience allowed me to devote my life's work to issues related to leadership and diversity. Most importantly, I wanted to be committed to the role of higher education in promoting both leadership and diversity in order to insure the most dynamically charged experience for every student and faculty member.

TC: What drove you to succeed and excel?

SR: My father only has a fourth-grade education from the Dominican Republic, but he is one of the wisest individuals and most savvy businessmen that I have ever known. He really inspired me to think boldly. I have been very blessed with strong mentors - one was Debbie Bial, who got me into the Posse Foundation, [a not-for-profit organization that selects outstanding leaders from urban public high school kids from inner cities to go away to college in diverse teams]. Another was a professor at Vanderbilt, who inspired me to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology.

TC: If every student could do one thing towards building a more embracing campus, what could they do?

SR: I think it would be wonderful if every student would be courageous enough to speak what is unspoken here. I think that every student has the right to an education that goes beyond face value. Students should push beyond what they ever imagined as being a part of their reality or experience during their college education. Going through four years of Middlebury being comfortable means that you have cheated yourself out of an education, and the College has failed you. This is the one of the most exciting times of your lives. Why spend the entire time just being comfortable?