Engagement
Assistant Dean for Engagement: Roopwant Kaur, BDS, MS
The Office of Engagement, led by the Assistant Dean at the School of Dental Medicine (SoDM), plays a crucial role in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. Responsibilities include implementing strategic initiatives to enhance stakeholder experiences, with a specific focus on diversity and representation. The office actively contributes to recruitment, retention, and success, coordinates programs for an inclusive learning environment, and advocates for positive transformations within SoDM. Guided by core values such as collaboration, creativity, belonging, and professionalism, these initiatives extend to external collaborations for national impact. The office’s active participation in forums, representation at national, state, and local levels, as well as collaboration with peers, contributes to ongoing systemic change. Feedback from these engagements informs continuous improvement. In summary, the Office of Engagement exemplifies a comprehensive and professional commitment to advancing engagement, belonging, and inclusion at SoDM through strategic leadership, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
An important part of the ECU School of Dental Medicine’s promise to the people of North Carolina is our pledge to open doors to a dental education for talented and promising students who represent our state’s cultural, economic and social diversity.
Our students, faculty, staff and residents are all part of a vibrant and diverse family that brings together a variety of perspectives, experiences and ideals that contribute to our growth, performance and ability to serve our patients and communities.
Learn more about how the School of Dental Medicine is built on a legacy that celebrates diversity and culture and promotes equity and inclusion.
Commitment to Diversity
ECU School of Dental Medicine defines diversity and equity as embracing and promoting an inclusive community that authentically represents the seen and unseen in a widespread context of different races, ages, ethnicities, cultures, national origins, religions, sexual orientations, sexes, genders, LGBTQ +, rurality, geography, veteran or military status, abilities, disabilities, socioeconomic statuses, parental status, intellectual positions, values, beliefs, languages and perspectives.
The ECU School of Dental Medicine’s vision, mission and values underscore the alignment of the School’s commitment to diversity with the University Definition of Diversity, Diversity Goal and Diversity Vision. The School of Dental Medicine is committed to building and sustaining a collaborative professional community of students, residents, staff and faculty who reflect the diversity of our state.
SODM Inclusion and Engagement Committee Members
Position | Name |
---|---|
Co-Chair | Dr. Roopwant Kaur |
Co-Chair | Mr. Tarrick Cox |
Faculty | Dr. Azeez Aileru |
Faculty | Dr. Mahmoud Al-Dajani, CSLC – Elizabeth City |
Faculty | Dr. Vanessa Pardi |
Resident | Dr. Nikki Tucker |
Staff | Dr. Taylor Purks |
Staff | Ms. Keyla Acosta-Rodriguez |
Staff | Ms. Elisabeth Boykin |
Staff | Ms. Janet Brooks |
Staff | Ms. Dominique Coleman |
Staff | Ms. Lisa Finch |
Staff | Ms. Monica Foss |
Staff | Ms. Tamika Perkins |