DEI Certificate Alumna Q&A: Aprilis Diaz
DEI Certificate Alumna Q&A: Aprilis Diaz
In an increasingly interconnected world, applying diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices is crucial. Inclusive communities thrive when every person is seen, heard, and valued — and while most people recognize the need for inclusive communities, fewer know what it actually takes to create and sustain them.
A DEI certificate program equips individuals and organizations with the tools and knowledge to do just that.
Through the DEI certificate program at Suffolk University’s Center for Continuing & Professional Education (CCPE), participants gain insights into the complexities of diversity and acquire skills to engage in productive conversations around race, gender, sexuality, disability, and other dimensions of diversity. The program helps build culturally competent leaders who are adept at supporting diversity and are committed to promoting equity and inclusion.
A Conversation with a DEI Certificate Alumna
We sat down with Aprilis Diaz—a graduate of the Suffolk University CCPE Certificate in DEI program—to learn about her experiences.
Aprilis describes how the DEI Certificate has benefitted her in her current role as the Director of Career and Professional Development at Eastern Nazarene College. At her institution, 50% of all enrolled students are students of color and/or women. Many are also neurodivergent. Aprilis pursued the DEI certificate to find ways to better support her institution’s diverse student population.
What is your educational and professional background?
“I graduated from Boston public schools in high school and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to apply to a program for minority students interested in advertising. At that time, Boston University had the number one advertising program in the nation, so I was in the right place at the right time to excel academically. I went to Boston University College of Communication on a full scholarship.
I had many communication internship opportunities as a Latina and as a student of color. I was exposed very quickly to the industry. But I decided that I didn’t want to work in communications all of my life. I did dedicate about five years to the industry, but then I moved on to my Master of Divinity in urban ministry. I served in ministry full time as a teaching pastor and then transitioned into the education field and became a professor.
My focus has always been working with underrepresented groups—I’ve worked in the inner cities and with students of color who are underrepresented, so there’s been a theme. I’ve done all three things that I’ve loved: communications, ministry, and teaching. Right now, I get to do all three as I serve as the Director of Career and Professional Development for Eastern Nazarene College.”
Why did you decide to enroll in Suffolk CCPE’s DEI certificate?
“I really wanted to provide more inclusive programming and services for our students. Things are changing and evolving, and I’m constantly trying to keep up with educational trends. We are now racing to diversify our faculty and staff so we can better meet the needs of our students. I needed to know that I was meeting the needs of our students to the best of my ability.”
What are your professional goals, and what outcomes are you hoping to get out of the DEI certificate at Suffolk?
“I want to make sure that, as Director of Career and Professional Development, I’m preparing our students to meet all of their challenges in the workplace.
Also, truthfully, I wanted to network with other professionals who are doing something similar. You know, networking with other professionals who are doing the work of DEI is important to me. I want to learn from them and share resources. I have a great network, but not necessarily with professionals doing DEI.”
What was your experience with the DEI certificate? What was your favorite part?
“The certificate program was mostly asynchronous, but we had synchronous meetings where we met every two weeks. We carved out that time to hear where everybody was in terms of their studies; what we were learning and how it was actually immediately applying to our places of work or our studies. I really enjoyed that. I really love how the course allowed flexibility for working adults; you know, we went at our own pace and deadlines were realistic. Also, having that hour and a half every two weeks to come in was very valuable.
Dr. Joyya Smith was always intentional. It wasn’t just “let’s meet and talk,” you know, she had an intentional agenda. She would review material and then ask you a question that you could respond to. It was very structured, and I appreciate that. She respected people’s time, so it was predictable. I really appreciated that—even though it was asynchronous—we would still be able to meet every two weeks via Zoom.
It was realistic, you know, it was doable, at least for me—I work a lot, I have a lot of responsibilities, but it was doable.”
How has the certificate benefited your professional development, or how do you expect it to?
“I recently used this program to apply for a grant that would provide professional development to our faculty and staff.”
As Diaz explains, “We’re in a small institution, and most of the students we have are Latino or Hispanic and Spanish speaking. I wanted to be able to be part of this professional development initiative that we’re doing…that we are equipping the faculty and staff with professional development opportunities that would help them be more culturally relevant in the classroom and in the curriculum.
We are so excited for this money, because now we’re going to be able to provide training workshops and bring in professionals to meet with our professors and staff who are doing the work of DEI in higher education. I’m really excited about that.”
On the day of our interview, Aprilis learned she’d successfully secured the grant. She explained what the money will go toward.
“We’ll be primarily offering training and workshops for professors, so bringing those new resources and also bringing resources I’m currently part of. The grant will allow me to build a course on our learning management system called Canvas, where I’ll be able to provide a course that will house all of this information and all of the resources for our faculty and staff. This is in conjunction with the dean of the school and my department, so I’m really excited! This is just really fantastic.”
What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling in the certificate?
“I would say that it is valuable, it’s worth your time, and you will definitely come out inspired. Definitely get ready to be inspired for the DEI work right now.”
Dive into DEI Education with a Certificate
Earning an online DEI certificate presents a unique opportunity for you to grow both personally and professionally as an advocate for inclusive practices and ideas. Professionals with DEI training will be on the cutting edge of shaping organizational culture both now and in the future, empowering a new generation of workers who can better communicate and connect with one another.
Interested in learning more about a DEI Certificate program? Suffolk University’s Center for Continuing & Professional Education Certificate in DEI program teaches the concepts you need to promote DEI in the workplace and your personal life, such as:
- Cultural intelligence
- Unconscious bias
- Humility
- Privilege and power
Gain a deep understanding and develop the practical skills to make you a better DEI ally and advocate today.