Diversity and Inclusion

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At F&S, we are fully committed to a diverse workforce in an inclusive workplace that unleashes the talents of all employees to create value, deliver superior support, and develop innovative solutions for the customers we serve.

As an organization, we fully support the university’s commitment to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity which requires that “decisions involving students and employees be based on merit and free from discrimination in all its forms.”

By creating a workplace that allows everyone to feel welcome and provides equal access to opportunity for success, we will strengthen our role supporting the mission of the university. Ultimately, creating an ongoing discussion about diversity and inclusiveness will make our organization better and move us closer to meeting the evolving needs of customers.

Diverse Internship Program (DIP)

F&S provides extensive opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented groups to explore future employment in the facilities management and utilities industries.

As the caretaker for the physical environment, F&S departments and shops serve as a vital component to the success of the university and offer career development in various operational aspects. The organization strives to advance diversity and inclusion by fostering a respectful and welcoming workplace where all employees’ knowledge, backgrounds, and efforts are valued and supported, all while delivering exceptional customer service, value, and innovative solutions to stakeholders.

Students participating in the program will receive hands-on experiential learning by working directly with talented and dedicated staff in areas of interest or current study. Previous internships have included positions in the following fields:

• Workplace safety
• Capital project delivery
• Customer relations and communications
• Engineering
• Environmental compliance
• Facilities administration
• Facilities information resources
• Financial reporting
• Information technology and data science
• Sustainability
• Utilities and energy management

Women in Crafts & Trades

At F&S, women are transforming the trades by showing that skill and dedication come in all forms. By challenging old stereotypes and leading with expertise, they’re setting a new standard for success in the industry.

Women who work in crafts and trades, fields traditionally dominated by men, often encounter unique challenges related to perceptions of their skills, capabilities, and overall contributions. Despite these obstacles, they bring a diverse perspective and valuable expertise to their roles.

“The university is a very inclusive and diverse workplace. I’ve met people from all walks of life, with a vast variety of knowledge,” said Jordyn Brock, pipefitter apprentice.

From F&S INSIDER Magazine:

Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: How Women at F&S are Redefining the Trades

Virtual Event Series

Each month, the F&S Diversity and Inclusion Committee hosts speakers from around the campus community to share their stories. The discussions strive to strengthen relationships and focus on the ways that we can treat others in a manner that encourages and strengthens an environment of inclusivity. You can sign up to receive login information for upcoming events at https://go.fs.illinois.edu/diversityandinclusion Watch previous presentations below and on the F&S YouTube channel.

Diversity Committee

F&S’ Diversity and Inclusion Committee was formed in February 2015 as a part of a campus-wide effort to engage all individuals on the Urbana campus in discussion about diversity and inclusion. The committee created a vision statement and assessed the culture and commitment to diversity and inclusion at F&S through a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. Based on discussions, SWOT analysis, and data review, the committee developed a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which includes guiding principles and actionable items.

Latest Event Presentations

Angela M. Rivers is one of the cochairs for the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail, and Rivers was the guest speaker at the Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s Noontime Knowledge.

“American Indian Boarding Schools in the Era of Cultural Genocide” was the topic of the Noontime Knowledge event, as part of the Native American Heritage Month activities on campus. The guest speaker, David Beck, is a history professor whose current focus is “the U.S. government’s American Indian policy in the 1950s and 1960s.

Emily Knox recently testified on book bans before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. She was the guest speaker at the Facilities & Services Noontime Knowledge virtual event hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Knox is an associate professor in the School of Information Sciences and author of Book Banning in 21st Century America and Foundations of Intellectual Freedom.