Read the article about the new WSU Vet DEI Director by Devin Rokyta on their website. Start reading below…
Universities and other institutions often fall into the trap of viewing diversity, equity, and inclusion only through a quantitative lens.
However, Maurice Cottman, who recently became the first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, said those numbers alone do not provide an accurate picture.
“A lot of time with DEI work it can feel like checkmarks. We did that one training when we got hired — check. Oh, look we met a new quota — check,” Cottman said. “The optics don’t matter to me if it doesn’t work. I look at my job as if I were a contractor — you can make the front of a house look amazing, but if you don’t check the plumbing, you probably shouldn’t buy it. And that is what optics are a lot of time. Optics are how good it looks, but is it actually working?”
Cottman officially joined the college on July 11 working in a remote capacity from his home in Philadelphia, where he had served as director for the Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Drexel University for the past five years. He will arrive on campus early during the fall semester.
At Drexel, Cottman led the Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion and helped to establish the university’s first official food pantry. He helped to create dozens of community engagement and building programs, in addition to serving as Drexel’s campus engagement contact for identity-based student organizations and as a co‑chair for the institution’s Anti‑Racism Task Force.
“We are thrilled that Maurice will be joining our team,” College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dori Borjesson said. “He is highly engaging, thoughtful, and authentic. Maurice brings great experience and passion for academic program building to our college. He has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and I am delighted he has stepped up to lead our programs for students, staff, and faculty.”
According to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the number of racially and ethnically underrepresented students currently is about 20% of total enrollment in the nation’s 32 accredited colleges of veterinary medicine.
