sray@suffolk.edu

I am part of the Diversity Committee because of my personal and professional commitment to promote knowledge and practice of diversity issues. My cultural root in South Asia and my extensive exposure to different countries as well as my own experience as an immigrant here strengthened my commitment to this cause. I strongly believe in broadening our awareness of diversity through interaction with members of diverse communities both at personal and professional levels. Students and professionals in the clinical practice field need to strengthen their cultural sensitivity and competence to offer effective services for diverse clients. Moreover, diversity awareness will facilitate our insight into the existing privilege and oppression across groups and thus will help us reduce our own stereotypes and biases towards groups and their members. Diversity awareness will benefit researchers to understand intra-psychic processes and interpersonal world of people unfamiliar to us which will facilitate accurate interpretation of obtained data and their applications. Finally, diversity committee provides a forum to promote inclusive environment in the department and support activities to broaden our collaboration with diverse communities at large.