On June 3, 2008 MASFAA’s Committee to Enhance Ethnic Diversity (CEED) sponsored a Workshop on Diversity to enhance the association members’ knowledge and expertise on how to help our students and to continue developing a diverse workforce in financial aid. The three panelists who spoke shared their perspectives on diversity issues: Nina Charnley, Paul Muzhthett, and Dr. Linda Edmonds Turner.

Nina Charnley is the head of Boston Diversity Business Council for Bank of America and a Managing Director. She spoke about the commitment of Bank of America in developing a diverse workforce. Nina believes that integration is the key to promoting a diverse workforce and to help drive their company in a global marketplace. Bank of America’s work environment draws on the strength of every employee to build an atmosphere of personal and professional growth. She is very passionate and committed to doing the right thing. Some of the tips she shared are to overcome looking at what we see – there is a lot more that you can learn about someone that stretches beyond what is seen. Listen to people and allow them to be who they are.

Nina also spoke about how Bank of America developed Affinity groups. These are formal company recognized groups of employees with common interests that allow for networking and support of one another’s development and success. The current Affinity groups are the: Asian Leadership Network, Black Professionals Group, Disabilities Affinity Group, Hispanic/Latino Organization for Leadership and Advancement, Lead for Women, Military Affinity, and Pride Resource Group.

Paul Muzhuthett is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Muzhuthett Charitable Trust. It is a non-profit organization that he formed to carry out charitable work in India. The organization focuses on training, community revitalization, medical and financial assistance. He also serves as the Regional Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Paul spoke about the global environment and how technological advances have helped develop the environment. He also spoke about how important it is to understand the current population and landscape. To encourage diversity, he stressed it is important to educate people and help them understand who they are, where they come from, and what they can bring with them. In his closing remarks, he noted that diversity is a way of life and something that needs to be nurtured every day. We all have an individual responsibility to ourselves, society, our neighborhoods, and our community.

Dr. Linda Edmonds Turner is the President of the Urban College of Boston. The Urban College student body represents a rich cultural and ethnic diversity and has also been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Urban College excels at creating a highly supportive, multicultural environment that integrates a college education with skill development that provides students with the opportunity they deserve to succeed.

Dr. Turner talked about how important it is to be a leader and team player in the environment. It is essential to be approachable and have good communication skills. She told the audience that it is the little things that matter to individuals. Change happens with each connection that you make. If you work on an individual basis with people they will succeed. Think about how you are going to make a difference helping the students that you see.

Dr. Turner talked about a Culturally Competent Mentoring Model. She believes that everyone is a mentor. To be good at mentoring you need to communicate. She also stated some of her other beliefs: work in the interest of those you want to serve; direct people to the right places; you do not need to be able to solve every problem; and share information to help students make decisions.

The CEED is busy planning future programs and events for the upcoming school year. We appreciate all of the support from MASFAA and its members. If you are interested in serving on the committee or have a suggestion for future events please feel free to contact Dadizi Baker-Cummings via e-mail or by telephone at 617-728-4509.

CEED looks forward to seeing you at a future event!