In fall 2020, The Catholic University of America took a major step toward fulfilling its commitment to embrace and reflect the racial and ethnic diversity that enriches our Church, city, and nation.
President John Garvey announced the creation of the Sister Thea Bowman Committee, named for an alumna of the University who today is designated a Servant of God, on the path toward recognition as a Catholic saint. Sister Thea’s life was an outspoken witness to what it meant to be Black and Catholic. The Bowman Committee was placed under the leadership of Regina Jefferson, a professor and former dean of the University’s Columbus School of Law. The Bowman Committee members were directed to study all facets of University operations and to make recommendations concerning matters of race to the University leadership. In recognition of the significance of this issue to the University community, committee members were drawn from students, parents, alumni, faculty, administrators, and the Archdiocese of Washington.
Shortly after the launch of the Bowman Committee, five subcommittees were formed to focus the work. The committee as a whole met each month to report on their progress. Final recommendations were submitted by the close of the academic year. The subcommittees developed a wide range of proposals that reflect the principles laid out in this report: to recognize that we are one human family, enriched by our diversity, to live out our Catholic responsibility, to address structures of sin that perpetuate division, and to practice everyday solidarity. A number of recommendations sought to address matters that may limit or create barriers to access and equality. These include calls for diversity at all levels of University governance, to include the Board of Trustees, and a more intentional focus to recruit and retain a wide range of students, faculty, and staff. Another set of recommendations addressed academic programs and course content, potentially creating a Center for Racial Justice and Human Dignity. Student-focused recommendations included strengthening support for minority and disadvantaged students, including expanded mentoring with faculty, changes to Orientation, expanding support for the first-generation student program, and leadership training.
The areas of particular focus were: Academic Affairs, Community Building, External Affairs, Workforce Development, and Personal Formation.
Among the actions taken by President Garvey were the appointment of Associate Dean of Engineering and Retired Navy Admiral Mel Williams as Special Assistant to the President to coordinate this wide range of initiatives.