The president of Guilford College in North Carolina, Jane K. Fernandes has been working in academic leadership roles for over a decade. Born deaf, Jane K. Fernandes was the first deaf woman to lead a university or college in the United States. She has maintained a commitment to diversity and inclusion in education at every level. While the words “diversity” and “inclusion” are often used together, they refer to different concepts. Diversity is about the differences between people in a particular environment. A diverse workplace comprises people of different races, cultures, ages, and sexes. Inclusion, on the other hand, means making a diverse group of people feel comfortable in their environment. Inclusion is about welcoming differences. In an inclusive space, each person has the same opportunities, regardless of their differences. Further, people in inclusive environments feel safe and respected in their differences, which helps them feel more valued and motivated to achieve personal, organizational, and societal goals.

1. Jane K Fernandes

2. The president of Guilford College in North Carolina, Jane K.
Fernandes has been working in academic leadership roles for over
a decade. Born deaf, Jane K. Fernandes was the first deaf woman
to lead a university or college in the United States. She has
maintained a commitment to diversity and inclusion in education
at every level.

3. While the words “diversity” and “inclusion” are often used
together, they refer to different concepts. Diversity is about the
differences between people in a particular environment. A diverse
workplace comprises people of different races, cultures, ages, and
sexes.

4. Inclusion, on the other hand, means making a diverse group of
people feel comfortable in their environment. Inclusion is about
welcoming differences. In an inclusive space, each person has the
same opportunities, regardless of their differences. Further,
people in inclusive environments feel safe and respected in their
differences, which helps them feel more valued and motivated to
achieve personal, organizational, and societal goals.