Florida Polytechnic University has created the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This office serves a critical role in supporting students and employees of all races, ethnicities, genders, faiths, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds.

The new office addition was a recommendation of the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which meets regularly to prioritize issues of diversity on campus. The chair of that committee, Rick Maxey, will lead the new office. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will work with human resources to build programs and processes that support diversity efforts throughout the university.

“We highly value diversity as an academic institution, and it is important that all of our efforts reflect that,” said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Poly.

“Studies have shown that students learn better when they see faculty who are representative of their backgrounds and identities,” said Maxey, who will assume the new title of assistant vice president for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “This initiative is a demonstration of the commitment by Dr. Avent and shows that he and the entire university care about each and every student and employee as people, first and foremost.”

Maxey said the new office will enrich the student experience by reducing the feelings of isolation that can occur among members of underrepresented groups, and by growing the comfort in which people interact with one another. The office also aims to expand students’ world views through opportunities to work and socialize with people from diverse backgrounds.

“We want to ensure that everyone at Florida Poly sees a reflection of themselves and realizes that they matter, and their contributions matter,” Maxey said.

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