Specific Goals and Objectives• Exploretherichnessofdiversitythrough

researchandanalysis.

• Collectanddisseminatepertinentliteraturethatincludessignificantfindings,demonstra-tionprojects,datasets,andothermaterials.

• Holdconferences,symposia,andworkshopsonrace/ethnicrelations.

• Hostfilmfestivals

• Advocateforand/orimplementexemplarydemonstrationprograms.

• Provideastructurethatallowsanyracialorethnicgroupanopportunitytopursueex-ternalfundingforresearchprojects(appliedand/ortheoretical),demonstrationprojects,conferences,workshops,andmore.

History of the Institute

TheInstitutewasoriginallyestablishedin1989topromoteacademicinquiryintothenature,causesandpotentialprogramsfortheresolutionofracialandethnicconflicts.

Itacceptedthechallengeofensuringtheprovisionofqualityresearchresultstomeettheneedsofscholars,otherresearchers,advo-cacygroupsandothersinthefield,aswellasprovidingtheoreticalandpracticalsupportforthefacultyandstudentsconductingsponsoredresearchundertheauspicesoftheInstitute.Itwasalsochargedwithsupportingcreditandnoncreditcourseworkonraceandethnicrela-tions.

In1999,then-PresidentElsonS.FloydchallengedtheInstitutetobecomeaworld-classresearchoperationinkeepingwiththeUniversityemphasisonbeingastudent-centeredresearchinstitution.Suchathrustcalledforaninterdisciplinaryapproachtoresearch,education,andservicestotheUniversity,region,state,nation,aswellasaninternationalfocus.

General Mission Statement

TheInstitute’smissionhasthreecomponents:research,education,andservice.

• Facilitatestheresearchoffaculty,students,andcommunityorganizationsinthefieldofrace/ethnicrelations

• Providesresourcestoaidinbringingdiver-sityintothecurriculum,teachingstrategiesandevaluationmethods.

• Exchangesinformationandacquiresknowl-edgeonthesubjectofraceandethnicrela-tionswiththelocal,regional,nationalandinternationalcommunities.

• Participatesasaninitiator,facilitator,coor-dinator,and/oracollaboratorintheareasofresearch,educationandservice.

World-Class Institute ChallengeInitsthrusttotransformitselfintoaworld-classinstitute,theWalkerInstitutecontinuouslyneedsassistanceinthefollowingareas:

• InterdisciplinaryteamsofscholarstoworkcollaborativelyontheresearchagendaoftheInstitute,whichincludestheMiddleEast,Asia,Africa,LatinAmerica,aswellastheUnitedStates.

• GraduateandundergraduatestudentstoworkinavarietyofrolesintheInstitute,especiallyresearchandcommunityserviceprojects.

• CommunityagenciesandorganizationstoworkcollaborativelywiththeInstituteondemonstrationprojects,fundedresearchendeavors,andcommunityadvocacyinitiatives.

• ResearchfundstosupporttheworkoftheInstitute.

Dr. Lewis WalkerInterim Director

Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of

Race and Ethnic RelationsWestern Michigan University

1104 Welborn Hall(269) 387-2141

Fax (269) 387-2789walker-institute@wmich.edu