The purpose of the Committee for Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Social Justice (IDEAS) is to promote and nurture an environment in which students, staff, faculty, and administration of all identities feel safe, valued, and respected, and to facilitate inclusion of the concepts of social justice and health equity into the curriculum.
If you would like to speak with a committee member about an incident of unfair treatment based on a person’s identity, please email one of the chairpersons to schedule a time to discuss the matter privately. You may also express your concern publicly at a monthly committee meeting. The IDEAS committee meets on the First Wednesday of each month via Zoom.
Congratulations to outgoing Co-Chair Giselle Gerardi, PhD, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, who was awarded the prestigious Nurse of Excellence Award by the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council on September 30, 2025.
Dr. Gerardi has made profound contributions to the nursing profession, fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable academic culture by advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in meaningful and lasting ways. As IDEAS co-chair, she spearheaded numerous impactful programs, including the Cultivating Awareness, Respect, and Equity (CARE) seminar series.
Read more about Dr. Gerardi's honor here.
