{"id":110357,"date":"2022-04-01T12:00:38","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T17:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=110357"},"modified":"2022-04-01T12:03:56","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T17:03:56","slug":"administrator-recognized-for-unique-approach-to-equity-and-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/administrator-recognized-for-unique-approach-to-equity-and-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Administrator Recognized for Unique Approach to Equity and Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Yashwant Prakash Vyas, director of diversity education and strategic initiatives at UM, has been recognized at two national conferences for his efforts to create equitable and accessible pathways to education. Submitted photo<\/p><\/div>\n

OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 When Yashwant Prakash Vyas talks about access, equity and inclusion, he uses the language of policy and systems because he knows a concerted strategic effort makes room for more students to further their education.<\/p>\n

Vyas is director of diversity education and strategic initiatives in the University of Mississippi<\/a>‘s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement<\/a>. Passionate about creating equitable and accessible pathways to education, he has seen education’s impact firsthand.<\/p>\n

“I’m motivated by my own journey to center access, equity and inclusion in my work,” Vyas said. “Growing up in rural India, I had very limited opportunities.<\/p>\n

“One thing I am most grateful for was the opportunity for a quality education, and because of it, I was able to improve my circumstances, and not just mine but that of my family.”<\/p>\n

His strategic and interdisciplinary approach was recognized at the 2022 annual conference of the American College Personnel Association \u2013 College Student Educators International in St. Louis. He also was recognized at the 2022 annual conference of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators \u2013 Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education in Baltimore.<\/p>\n

Vyas also led a number of educational sessions around peer leadership programs, student retention, graduation, leadership development, intercultural competence, and inclusive and equitable organizational culture at the conferences.<\/p>\n

His awards include:<\/p>\n