MSU DEI Hiring Education

At Michigan State University, diversifying our faculty ranks has been identified as an institutional priority. However, our current search committee training offerings varied in quality and had yet to be mandated consistently. As a result, many search committees needed more preparation to conduct equitable and inclusive hiring processes. 

To address this need, we developed a new mandatory online training program to equip search committee members across campus with the knowledge and skills to mitigate bias and implement inclusive practices that attract diverse candidates.

The development process followed a collaborative, research-driven approach to ensure the training aligned with MSU's specific strategic goals around faculty diversity and inclusion. We engaged stakeholders and experts across campus, including diversity leaders within each academic college who provided insights on unit-specific priorities and climate. Literature reviews and benchmarking of peer institutions also informed the content.

The resulting training framework comprehensively covers best practices across the entire faculty search process, from crafting an inclusive position description to equitable assessment of finalists. Interactive elements like implicit bias tests, case study discussions, and application exercises reinforce the content. 

Importantly, the training is customized specifically for MSU, incorporating our institutional policies, procedures, and resources. This level of relevance keeps the content tangible for our academic community. The focus remains on teaching inclusive practices that search committees can implement at each search stage rather than just raising passive awareness.

Delivery through the university's online learning management system allows flexibility while tracking completion accountability across the large, decentralized institution. Mandatory participation for search committees drives adoption.

Finally, metrics are embedded throughout the process, from goals for outreach to underrepresented groups to documenting the diversity of applicant and finalist pools. The aim is continual improvement and measurable increases in the diversity of hires.

This immersive training program has the potential to drive institutional culture change around equitable and inclusive faculty hiring practices at Michigan State University.