The document provides an overview of the strategic directions for 2014 and beyond of the UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity (IRE). The IRE aims to promote racial and ethnic justice through research, education, and community engagement. Its mission is to address issues of race and ethnicity in Arkansas by examining the past, informing the present, and shaping the future. The strategic directions outline IRE's vision, guiding principles, theory of change, and six goals which include: fostering awareness of race issues, providing research-based policy recommendations, facilitating dialogue, providing educational opportunities for students, serving as a clearinghouse for information, and holding UALR accountable for diversity and inclusion.

1. UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity
Strategic Directions 2014 and beyond
Inquire • Reveal • Empower

3. Strategic Directions 2014 and Beyond
Dear Partners and Supporters,
A colleague recently asked me if the Institute on Race and Ethnicity was about academic research,
student scholarship, advocacy, public policy, or social change in Little Rock, the state, or on campus,
or what? My response was a resounding YES! Embedded in this person’s innocent curiosity was a
sophisticated articulation of the Institute’s charge and breadth… essentially a multifaceted approach
to a highly complex and nuanced issue.
The Institute’s birth and existence signify that there is hope on the
horizon in bringing systemic change regarding the most central problem
of our time: racism. Building upon the strengths and accomplishments
achieved in its short life, the Institute is forging ahead with a refined
focus on how it will pursue its work and prove added value. The Strategic
Directions provide a general framework for how we will conduct business
and fulfill our mission. It captures the scope of our strategic priorities in
simplified terms and is intended for internal and external audiences.
Staying true to the original mission, the new vision statement will
become both the driving force and hallmark for every activity the
Institute undertakes. The guiding principles are not a set of random
statements but serve to undergird the ethos of the Institute’s activities. These principles speak to
what IRE values and why what we seek to do is honorable, needed, and important. Similarly, our
theory of change expresses the Institute’s understanding of the problem and suggested strategies by
which it is to be resolved.
A branding effort will include a fresh look of our communications collateral and the launch of IRE’s
new tagline—Inquire. Reveal. Empower. The idea is to maximize multimedia in order to spread our
message and grow our following. In doing so, stakeholders will hear from us more often and in a
number of different ways.
On a practical level, the Strategic Directions is a call to action that invites others to be a part of the
solution. We recognize that the vision can only come to fruition if there is broad-based community
support and investment. Arkansas is uniquely positioned to lead the way in modeling the American
ideals of freedom, justice, and equality for ALL people. However, there must be some urgency to our
collective efforts to develop and nurture a culture of racial harmony and mutual respect.
Please join us!
Michael R. Twyman, Ph.D.
Director
UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity

4. MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Institute on Race and Ethnicity (IRE) is to
seek racial and ethnic justice in Arkansas by remembering
and understanding the past, informing and engaging the
present, and shaping and defining the future.
VISION STATEMENT:
To make Arkansas the best state in the country for
promoting and celebrating racial and ethnic diversity.
INQUIRE REVEAL EMPOWER
Inquire - ask the tough questions which may make
some uncomfortable but are necessary for
understanding the root causes of racial inequities.
Reveal - expose the truth and bring attention to the
problem of racism in a historical and contemporary
context.
Empower - use solid research and data to inform
decision making and formulate public policy that
will achieve more equitable outcomes.
Little R
ock

5. OVERVIEW
The Institute on Race and Ethnicity is about changing the thinking and culture of UALR, Little Rock
and the state of Arkansas to one that embraces racial equality. This is reflected in the Institute’s new
vision statement, guiding principles, theory of change, and each of its six strategic goals.
Beginning in 2003, the UALR Institute of Government began conducting the annual Racial Attitudes
in Pulaski County Survey which laid the foundation for the university to take a leadership role in
confronting the race problem in central Arkansas. We will continue to engage UALR faculty, staff, and
students in leveraging opportunities and resources to be successful in achieving the Institute on Race
and Ethnicity’s vision.
The Institute on Race and Ethnicity came into existence in July 2011 after several years of
conceptual planning by Chancellor Joel E. Anderson and members of the Chancellor’s Committee
on Race and Ethnicity.
For the foreseeable future, the Institute will involve itself with work that stacks up to three
fundamental tenets: meaningful, manageable, and measurable.
Meaningful - The Institute will engage in activities that have explicit
purpose and whose objectives closely align with its mission and
demonstrates added value.
Manageable - The Institute will undertake work that maximizes
its limited human and financial resources to develop and execute
efficient processes that produce outcomes at a consistent level
of excellence.
Measurable - The Institute will continually assess its effectiveness
in realizing its mission and vision through critical internal and
external evaluation.
The strategic directions give a general overview of our priorities. The Institute’s internal work plan
includes specific tasks and activities that support our objectives in the six goal areas.
Additionally, the Institute will continue to build a case for long-term funding support, including the
creation of an endowment to sustain its operations to further the most important work in Arkansas.

6. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Institute of Race and Ethnicity ascribes to
the following core values to instruct and guide
its work:
• We maintain that there is no scientific evidence
proving one particular race of people is either
inferior or superior to another.
• We recognize that race at its core is a social
construct and therefore should never be used
alone to define a person’s or group’s total being
or potential.
• Racism stems from ignorance and fear and has
existed since the earliest of civilizations.
• Racism narrowly defined is when members of a
dominant group deem themselves superior to
other races and who have the means by which
to exercise oppressive power.
• America’s constitutional and governance
ideals were built upon a pluralistic democracy,
guaranteeing its citizens the rights to equal
opportunity and protection under the law.
• The enslavement of Africans in America has had
long-lasting negative effects on blacks’ social,
economic, and political power as an ethnic group.
• The Institute rejects the notion that America
has entered into a post-racial era with the
election of an African American president,
and to the contrary, continues to see racial
oppression as the greatest threat to the nation’s
health and well-being.
• The Institute was created to lead change in
Arkansas by being a catalyst for racial justice
by facilitating dialogue and forging
community partnerships.
• Given the country’s legacy of racial
discrimination and the resulting tensions that
still linger between blacks and whites especially
in the South, the Institute gives heightened
attention to race relations between these two
groups, but it is also committed to the growing
Latino population and other communities of
color in Arkansas.
• The Institute believes that the courageous
efforts of Daisy Bates, attorney Christopher
Mercer, and the Little Rock Nine to end school
segregation in Arkansas was a defining
moment for the Civil Rights Movement in the
state and the nation.
• The University of Arkansas Little Rock is
committed to modeling behaviors and
practices that honor racial diversity and
promote racial equity.
• UALR must prepare students to be able to
compete, communicate and think critically
about topics related to ethnicity and race in an
increasingly global and interconnected world.
• The Institute believes that evidence-based
research can be a resource for problem solving
related to issues of race and racism.
• The Institute accepts that it cannot tackle
racism in Arkansas alone, nor do we have all
the answers; thus, we commit to continued
learning about ourselves and our work.
• The Institute’s work is integral to UALR
accomplishing its goal to be One of the Top
Metropolitan Community-Engaged, Research
Universities among the Southern Regional
Education Board (SREB) by 2020.

7. THEORY OF CHANGE
The Institute on Race and Ethnicity has adopted a psychosocial model to explain its Theory of
Change, with the premise that racism is a socially-constructed disease that begins in the mind, and
yet is treatable and curable. We believe that the antidote must embody both science and education
in order to transform unhealthy thinking and aid in the healing process. This approach assumes
that racism when classified as a social disease has some level of predisposition based on a number
of factors (value formation, parental/family influence, educational experience, home environment,
neighborhood, geographic origin, etc.); however, it by no means needs to be terminal.
Although there is disagreement in scholarly circles on a common definition of racism, it usually takes
on three basic forms: individual, systemic, and institutional. Racism in its purest form depends on the
ability to give or withhold social benefits, services, facilities, opportunities, and other resources from
someone who is entitled to them, yet denied on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The exercise
of power can be either legal or illegal, and is not limited to the traditional concepts of power.
The intent, be it conscious or unconscious, is strictly irrelevant; the focus is on the result of the
behavior. (Randall, 2006)
• Individual racism consists of overt and covert acts by individuals that might cause emotional or
mental trauma, injury, death, destruction of property or denial of services or opportunities.
• Institutional racism is often more subtle and involves policies, practices and procedures of
institutions that have a disproportionately negative effect on racial minorities’ access to and
quality of goods, services, and opportunities.
• Systemic racism is the basis for how individual and institutional racism is played out, for it is the
value system that is embedded in a society that facilitates and supports racial discrimination.
Randall, V., Dying While Black, Dayton, OH: Seven Principles Press, 2006.
RACE MODEL
Developed by
Michael R. Twyman, Ph.D.
(October 2013)
Racial Equity
Fairness
Equal Access
Equal Treatment
Knowledge
Information
Exposure
Attitudes
Behaviors
Practices
Values
Beliefs
Assumptions
Discrimination
Prejudices
Stereotyping
Unequal Treatment
Limited Access
Disparities
Racism

8. The Institute accepts that it must engage at all three levels to forge a social movement in Arkansas
to actualize racial justice. The evolutionary five-stage process outlined below encapsulates the
Institute’s Theory of Change.
IDENTIFICATION
ASSESSMENT
TREATMENT
EVALUATION
SUSTAINMENT
IDENTIFICATION
Racism is pervasive and often insidious; its existence must be called
out for what it is, even when perpetrated unintentionally.
ASSESSMENT
Because racism is a disease of the mind, it is important to understand
how and to what extent it manifests itself in individuals and
institutions.
TREATMENT
Fostering a culture of acceptance, fairness, and equality is the best
remedy to erasing racial stereotypes and assumptions.
EVALUATION
Appropriate measurements must be instituted to determine the
effectiveness of interventions aimed at attacking racist attitudes and
behaviors.
SUSTAINMENT
Individuals and institutions must commit to ongoing self-evaluation
of their racial prejudices and racist actions.

9. Goals, Objectives, and Tactics
GOAL I - To foster sustained awareness of the issues of
race and ethnicity.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
While the idea of a “post-racial” society is bandied about, an increase in racial profiling and growing
disparities in income, health care, and education among blacks and Latinos continue to mount. The
election of President Barack Obama as the first black U.S. president has in many ways intensified
underlying racial tensions. Some public policies and recent court decisions seem to have accepted
the position that racism is no longer an issue or reality in America. Furthermore, because of a
dramatic change in the country’s demographic composition where it is projected by 2042 ethnic
minorities will constitute a numeric majority, issues of race and ethnicity must be at the fore of any
collective progress.
IRE will remain vigilant in its commitment to raise awareness and consciousness about racism in
Arkansas and seeks to do so in a variety of creative and innovative ways.
GENERAL TACTICS
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Conferences and symposiums
Workshop and seminar presentations
Historic celebration events
Speaker series
Facilitated community discussions
Website publicity
Media releases and appearances

10. GOAL II - To provide research-based information and informed
policy recommendations on issues of race and ethnicity.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
UALR is classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and a community-engaged
university, which uniquely places it in a position to not only conduct and produce high quality
research but also to offer it as a way to change and improve community conditions in Little Rock
and the state of Arkansas. Knowledge is power and it is our hope to unleash it in a responsible and
effective manner that produces solutions. The Institute will continue to tap into the intellectual
capital and resources of the UALR faculty to further its work.
The aim here is to use research information and data to shape and refine policies that address racial
disparities and inequities at the local and state level. The academy must forge partnerships and leverage
resources with government, private sector, nonprofits and local residents to achieve this objective.
Expanding the annual Racial Attitudes Conference’s scope and reach will be central to
accomplishing this objective. IRE will be expanding its portfolio in this area for greater impact.
GENERAL TACTICS
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Research studies
Journal/newspaper articles
Position papers
Public presentations
Legislative briefings
Special reports

11. GOAL III - To build bridges and seek reconciliation through
dialogue among people of different racial and ethnic groups.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
The sting of racial segregation, “Jim Crow,” and years of blatant racial discrimination remain in the
hearts and minds of an entire generation of U.S. residents. And although there has been considerable
progress in the fight against racial oppression, some scars remain tender and slow to heal. The
Institute serves as a “neutral convener” to help facilitate and encourage meaningful and healthy
dialogue on and off campus about issues of race and racism. The Chancellor’s Committee on Race
and Ethnicity is an excellent example of bringing a diverse group together regularly to discuss
a variety of topics dealing with race and ethnicity in a civil and non-judgmental atmosphere. A
similar model is needed with other audiences both within the university and in the community with
external stakeholders.
Central Arkansas will remain the primary focus for this objective, but IRE will have a presence in other
communities in the state as appropriate and as opportunities present themselves.
GENERAL TACTICS
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Group discussions
Community forums
Workshops
Lectures
Media Appearances (radio, television, and Internet)
Formal presentations
Special programs
Public events

12. GOAL IV - To provide formal study opportunities for students to
learn about race and ethnicity through courses, related projects,
and independent scholarship.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
UALR’s primary constituents are its students. As a metropolitan university in the state’s capital,
UALR attracts a diverse student population in terms of gender, age, socioeconomic status, race
and national origin. The campus will continue to have a significant number of international
students representing a variety of ethnicities and benefit from having such diversity constitute
the organizational culture. The Institute feels an obligation to integrate its work with student
opportunities to engage in scholarship, research, and service. The Institute is enriched by these
interactions, while students increase their understanding of race and the role it has and does play
particularly in American life, as well as in the state and local community.
IRE will work to expand opportunities in this area, including exploring the feasibility of establishing an
academic major in Race and Ethnic Studies or African American studies. Additionally, we will intensify
outreach efforts to engage more K-12 students through programming and community initiatives.
GENERAL TACTICS
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Curricular/academic program offerings
University courses
Internships
Research projects
Service learning opportunities
Graduate assistantships
Special programs
Formal and informal discussion groups

13. GOAL V - To serve as an information clearinghouse for campus,
community and statewide initiatives and activities related to
race and ethnicity.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
The Institute on Race and Ethnicity understands the importance of partnerships and working across
sectors and academic disciplines in order to accomplish community goals. To that end, much of
the Institute’s attention goes toward promoting and supporting the good work of others to further
racial and ethnic justice. The Institute relies on its website and the university’s communications
department and staff to assist in this endeavor. It also takes the lead in initiating and creating a
number of programs and activities that it publicizes and makes available for both internal and
external access and participation. Ideally, the Institute will distinguish itself as the “go-to” source for
information on issues related to race and racism in Arkansas.
Going forward, IRE will capitalize on information technologies, particularly electronic and social
media, to maximize our effectiveness in this area.
GENERAL TACTICS
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Institute website
Publications
Resource materials
Electronic archives
Newsletters
Media eleases
Newspaper articles
Special reports

14. GOAL VI - To hold the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
accountable for becoming a diverse, multi-ethnic community
characterized by an absence of institutional racism.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
Unfortunately, racial inequities may manifest within institutions of higher education, oftentimes
unintentionally, and UALR is no exception to this potential vulnerability. However, with the current
leadership, deliberate efforts have been made to ensure that UALR reflects ethnic diversity in every
aspect of its composition (student population, faculty, administration, governance, etc.) UALR has
the opportunity to be the change it would like to see in the world. It takes time and patience to
realize such a large vision, but the university has made the first step by declaring it an institutional
priority. The university’s Diversity Council, International Student Services Program, African
American Male and Female Initiatives, and Hispanic/Latino Initiative are a sampling of UALR’s strong
commitment to leading by example.
IRE will continue to be the primary catalyst and advocate for helping to achieve this goal across the
institution. In fact, this objective is critical to the university’s 20,000 students by 2020 plan.
GENERAL TACTICS
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Small and large group discussions
Organizational self-assessments
Surveys
Professional development and training
Workshops and presentations
Guest lectures
Campus-wide events
Special programs

15. And Beyond - The Road to Racial Equality
“Racism left to fester will hold Arkansas down in the lowest ranks on just about
every measure. People of goodwill working together can turn the tables on
racism to forge a better community for all.”
— Chancellor Joel E. Anderson
We recognize that the scars of racism are deep, so deep in fact, that some individuals take the
stance that inequities in education, health care, criminal justice, housing, and employment are
the real problems rather than often being the byproducts of systemic racism. All of these issues
are important and extremely complex, and not one of them is untouched by race.
We will ask the unpopular questions which may make some uncomfortable, but are necessary for
attaining understanding, mutual respect, and racial harmony.
We will expose the truth and bring attention to the problem of racism in a historical and
contemporary context.
And, in order to empower communities, we will use relevant research and data to inform decision
making and formulate public policy that will achieve more equitable outcomes.
Will you join us?
“Our community will be strengthened. It will become stronger, more robust,
more vibrant and dynamic, both economically and socially, as cultural and
racial diversity promotes and enhances the exchange of ideas.”
— Michael R. Twyman, Director
Inquire • Reveal • Empower

16. Institute on
Race and Ethnicity
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099
501.569.8932 • ualr.edu/race-ethnicity
ArkWorkTogether
@ArkWorkTogether
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UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity