Common Ground Corner

Consultant praises Embedded Action Plan; advises keeping up momentum

BY LINDA EVANS
RichmondNow Editor

The University's Embedded Action Plan, or six steps toward a more inclusive campus, "could be a national model," observed Sheila Washington, a consultant who has met on campus with the Common Ground Action Committee.

The plan's steps include recruiting students, faculty and staff who bring both talent and diversity; hiring a director of common ground; teaching multicultural competence; changing external perceptions that the University does not value diversity; making an explicit commitment to inclusive diversity; and measuring the progress of the common ground initiatives.

The real opportunity, she said, "will be in the implementation of it. It's all about execution at this point."

Washington, founder and president of Washington Consulting Group in Pittsburgh, often talks with clients about how to manage complex, systemic cultural change. She tells them that in order to sustain change, they need a clear vision, people must have the skills to drive the change, there must be some incentives to change, and resources-both time and money-must be allocated. Mostly, "they must have a plan of action."

Washington said Richmond's Embedded Action Plan "makes so much sense in trying to be an inclusive process," and advised that the University should execute it in a timely fashion. "Don't lose momentum," she said.

She sees two opportunities facing the University.:

• Engage the masses. The faculty, staff, administration, students and larger community should be clear on why it's an important, critical thing for the University to do. The plan can be successful, she said, "if the Common Ground Action Committee builds a good case for why it's in the collective best interest" to implement.
• Keep it top of mind for everybody. She suggested engaging University Communications to help develop strategies to keep the plan visible. "Use some P.R. and marketing," she said. Develop campaigns, create buzz, excitement and interest.

Benefits to the University include a better legacy, a higher-profile brand and shared ownership, where "everybody has a role."

If you have questions or comments about RichmondNow or would like to submit story ideas or calendar information, please e-mail the editor, Linda Evans, at levans2@richmond.edu or richmondnow@richmond.edu

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