In “How to Be an Ally,” Michelle Epler tells us what allyship is and why it matters in our professional lives.

Fresno State was awarded a California State University Chancellor's Office grant to pilot an Upstander/Ally project as part of the Chancellor's Office efforts to improve faculty recruitment and retention across the campuses.

This fall, nine academic department chairs and at least one faculty member are contemplating the role of ally at Fresno State and are working with grant coordinator Dr. Shane Moreman, professor in the Department of Communication, to help enhance inclusive communications in their departments.

“I’m excited to be contributing to the lifelong learning of colleagues with a commitment for new and updated ideas on diversity, equity and inclusion,” Moreman said.

The pilot has begun with the chairs' boot camp training on the foundational principles of allyship this week and will continue with the meeting of the faculty allies participating in the grants.