Thiel College among elite group to participate in Diversity, Civility, and Liberal Arts Institute

Thiel College is one of 26 U.S. institutions selected by the Council of Independent Colleges to participate in the inaugural Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts Institute to be held this summer in Atlanta, GA.

GREENVILLE, Pa. - March 19, 2018 - Rezul -- Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, is one of 26 institutions selected by the Council of Independent Colleges to participate in the inaugural Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts Institute to be held in Atlanta June 3-6.

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Liz Frombgen, Ph.D.; Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Mike McKinney '02; Professor of Sociology and Study Abroad Coordinator Cynthia Sutton, Ph.D.; and Assistant Professor of Communication Ross Nugent will represent Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/) The Institute is designed to help faculty members and administrators learn about research and best practices that enable students to understand issues of diversity, civility and the causes of social unrest.

Thiel was selected from a pool of applicants that was three times as large as the number of openings. According to CIC president Richard Ekman, Ph.D., "the volume, quality, and urgency of the proposals reflect the commitment of independent colleges and universities to promoting diversity and civility, not just on their campuses but across the nation."

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"Thiel College is eager to engage with a network of colleges and universities committed to strengthening diversity and civility on their campuses. It is our responsibility to prepare our students to lead in their communities. Our involvement in this program will better enable our faculty and professional staff to engage effectively with students on matters related to diversity, inclusion, civility, and social justice," Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., said. "One of the College's strategic plan goals is to create a more 'diverse and inclusive learning environment.' Thiel College's selection for this prestigious and important initiative is a significant accomplishment and is a symbol of how our campus community is connected and committed to a common goal of acceptance, tolerance and civility."

The Institute is directed by Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D., president emerita of Spelman College and a leading scholar of race and higher education. During the Institute, leading humanities and social sciences scholars will present key concepts and recent developments in their fields and apply these concepts to understand student concerns and deepen the educational experience. The goal is to encourage thoughtful campus discussions that engage students' minds as well as their emotions. Each participating college will develop plans to incorporate the content into many courses, advising and counseling services, and co-curricular activities at their institutions.

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The Institute is supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Institute faculty is comprised of some of the nation's leading scholars of diversity, history, literature, social change, and political philosophy. Including representatives from institutions like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and the University of Pennsylvania to name a few.

About Thiel College

Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/) is a private liberal arts institution founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 25 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio to more than 900 students. A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016 and remains committed to combining tradition with innovation.