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Learn first. Change the world second.

Ismael Ahmed, associate provost for Integrated Learning and Community Partnerships at University of Michigan-Dearborn, encouraged faculty, staff, students and community leaders to do just that during the inaugural “Commitment to an Inclusive Region” event.

The event is part of 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s commitment to foster an inclusive campus community. 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s campus leaders networked and connected with alumni on Oct. 26 at Fairlane Center South to discuss ways in which the University can collaborate with businesses and organizations throughout southeastern Michigan.

Daniel Little, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn chancellor, said the University must continue to build relationships within the community.

“Inclusion is about more than diversity and mutual respect,” Little said. “It is about creating a learning and working environment in which everyone can learn from each other and form social connections across the many lines of difference our society presents us with.”

Inclusion is key to building a metropolitan-based university, he said.

“We want to be a Division-1 metropolitan university,” he said. “Help us make an inclusive environment at our university.”

Ann Lampkin-Williams helped organize the event and agreed with Little that the University must continue to actively engage itself within the community.

“Diversity, we celebrate,” she said. “Inclusion, that’s for and about everyone. It’s going to be woven into the fabric of this institution.”

N. Charles Anderson agreed. Anderson, president and CEO of Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan, admits he wasn’t very aware of 51��Ƶ-Dearborn when he relocated from Charlotte. But the inclusion effort put forth by the University made Anderson realize “this has become a very important part of the community.”

Anderson urged those who attended the event to continue to practice inclusion.

“It’s what you do, not what you say,” Anderson said.

Photo by Alex Piazza.