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Purpose Statement

The STHM Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) leads and supports school-wide initiatives and programs focused on fostering an inclusive culture and campus community. We recognize that the landscape of diversity, equity and inclusivity is vast and more globalized than ever before. As such, the ODEI is committed to advancing the conversation and perspective of inclusive excellence. It is the goal of the office to combine industry and academia to develop equitably distributed programs that impact the cultural competence, social awareness, and globalization of the industries of sport, recreation, tourism and hospitality.


DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION SCHOLARSHIPS

STHM is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within the industries we serve. To demonstrate our commitment, the department of Graduate Admissions and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offer three scholarships to incoming and prospective students.


INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE SCHOLARS

This scholarship is awarded to those that exemplify leadership in the areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and who are committed to contributing to DEI efforts in their respective industries. The selected candidates will serve as DEI champions within their graduate program and will help to educate peers and advance their industry in this area.

Learn more about the scholarship and criteria on the application

PATHWAY TO STHM SCHOLARSHIP

This financial need-based scholarship is awarded to an incoming, domestic applicant from an underrepresented population demonstrating financial need who is looking to continue their education through a master’s degree in the field of sport, tourism, or hospitality. This tuition scholarship will provide an underrepresented high-need student with access to graduate education.

Learn more about the scholarship and criteria on the application

DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is awarded to those that exemplify leadership in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and who is committed to contributing to DEI efforts in their respective industries. This Diversity in Leadership Scholarship is designed specifically for Executive Master of Science in Sport Business candidates and would serve as a DEI champion within the school for their graduate program and will help to educate peers and advance industry in this area.

Learn more about the scholarship and criteria on the application

Education and Training

STHM's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Presents Inclusive Excellence Capacity Building Series

Inclusive Excellence

One of the key Initiatives under the STHM Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) is the development and execution of staff and faculty capacity building workshops. These workshops are designed to focus on the various challenges, assets and strategies related to DEI that impact our day-to-day interactions with our stakeholders.

By design the workshops will be developed with staff and faculty in mind and serve to strengthen our capacity to deliver on the promise of our mission, vision and commitment to creating a welcoming environment to work and thrive within.

See Previous Webinar Recaps

STHM's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Presents Diversity Speaks, a Speaker Series

Diversity Speaks

An important initiative within the STHM Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is the execution of a speaker series fully dedicated to the enrichment of our students and alumni. The Diversity Speaks series will engage in real conversations, with real DEI experts around relevant, timely and critical diversity, equity and inclusion topics.

See Previous Webinar Recaps

Recent Training and Events

About the ODEI Director


Dr. Debra Blair

Associate Professor & Director of Organizational Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Dr. Blair is an Associate Professor in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management., specializing in Sports and Recreation Management. She teaches courses which focus on the areas of: Organizational Management of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion(DEI), Ethics, Disability Awareness, and Sport and Recreation Management.

She earned her Ed.D. in Health Education at Temple University. She has been teaching since 1989 and joined STHM as an Assistant Professor in 2003. She has held a number of leadership roles within STHM including responsibilities for STHM’s Assurance of Learning assessment initiatives and serving as an STHM Ombudsperson. At the University level she serves on Temple University’s General Education Executive Committee as the Area Coordinator for Race & Diversity, Arts and Human Development courses and is responsible for course development, course (re)certification and support of various initiatives of the General Education administration. She also serves as Chair for the Faculty Senate’s Faculty Concerns on Disabilities Committee. She is the faculty advisor for STHM’s Rho Phi Lambda Honorary Society and Temple’s Special Olympics Student Organization.

Her industry experience spans over 25 years designing and implementing inclusive sport, tourism and leisure programs and events. She has served on numerous local, regional and national committees including the Board of Directors of the National Equality Forum, Philadelphia LGBT Affairs, Mid-East Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation, National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification: Job Analysis Committee, Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, as well as, consulted with various agencies and committees regarding the development of inclusive practices. She has presented to various audiences at the local, regional and national level.

She has worked with a variety of organizations providing capacity building trainings around LGBTQ Awareness, Unconscious Bias, Disability Inclusion and other DEI-related topics.

View Full Bio

Meet the Committee

As an office we are committed to ensure that we have representation from the key STHM stakeholders on the committee as we begin the roll out of our 2025 STHM ODEI Initiatives.

  • Jim Alton

    Jim Alton

    Manager of Graduate Student Services

  • Caroline Heffernan

    Caroline Heffernan

    Assistant Professor

  • Andrew Lovell

    Andrew Lovell

    Senior Associate Director of Industry Relations

  • Ei Lwin

    Ei Lwin

    STHM Undergraduate Student and Member, National Society of Minorities in Hospitality

  • Michael Ok

    Michael Ok

    Associate Professor and Director of PhD Programs

  • Kendra Plummer

    Kendra Plummer

    Founding Partner, Elise Capital

  • Jenae Rogers

    Jenae Rogers

    STHM Undergraduate Student, Member of Society for Minorities in Sport

  • Dorsey Spencer

    Dorsey Spencer

    Dean of Students, Colgate University and STHM Alumni, Class of '07