Smashing the Concrete Ceiling

By Tabitha Ervin
Of Fort Wayne Ink Spot

Over the last three decades, Lisa D. Givan has been a diversity practitioner in the corporate, nonprofit and higher education sectors. Her promotion as Indiana Tech’s Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Belonging and the school’s Chief Diversity Officer presents robust opportunities at the STEM-oriented university as well as a testament to her success as an administrator and facilitator.

Lisa joined Indiana Tech in June 2018, when she became the school’s first leader of the office for diversity when she was named associated vice president and Tech’s CDO. Since her time at the university, Lisa has built many relationships not only with students but various departments, and community partners, as Indiana Tech strives to be a leader in northeast Indiana.

I was surprised to learn that the institution is over 40% students of color which includes both International and Domestically diverse scholars. Many predominantly white universities can only boast numbers under 20% on average for students of color. With this data and the increased desire to create a sense of belonging for all, Indiana Tech decided this position was needed a few years ago.

As the position has grown, the university decided it needed Lisa’s office to have more impact on the community, the curriculum, suppliers to the university, diversity in hiring and so much more. On January 1, Lisa was promoted to a cabinet-level post with more influence on the school’s culture.

Lisa and I discussed her being the only person of color as part of the Executive Cabinet and the first person of color to serve as a Vice President in the institution’s history. Through a very robust discussion on the idea of tokenism and shifting our mindsets, we agreed that as we break down barriers in communities everywhere, someone has to be “the first.” As the first, Lisa has brought her tools to make room for others, much in the same way Vice President Kamala Harris has done for women of color everywhere.

For Lisa, the discussion of women and the glass ceiling yielded a two-fold construct based on race. For white women, the ceiling is translucent, allowing them to see women like them, which can be perceived as a way in and something aspirational.

For women of color, the ceiling is concrete. The lack of translucence prevents African Americans and other women of color from having hope or aspiration to reach the other side.

However, once “the first” person breaks the concrete and provides an opening, there is representation and hope for others watching and growing up in this nation to do the same. The idea that because Lisa is there, I can be there and so can Jordan my 7-year-old daughter. This is how we need to shift our mindsets around tokenism and toward being “the first”.

Ultimately in her role, Lisa is excited for the charge of weaving equity-mindedness and inclusion throughout the inner workings of Indiana Tech by building relationships, being a connector and a supporter of those around the university. Lisa is intentional with her work and influence and she assures me that she is here to stay and continue to do this amazing work for both the school and for our community.