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Unity & Belonging at SVSU
Diversity at SVSU involves exploring differences such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment and to move beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions found within each other's differences. The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance of and respect for our differences and appreciating that it is those differences that make each of us unique.
"Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at SVSU Annual Report and Celebration"
Events
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2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Celebration
Thursday, January 22 at 7pm
Malcolm Field Theatre, Curtiss Hall
The event is open to the public.
Cynthia "Cynt" Marshall
President & CEO, Marshalling Resources
Consultant and Former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks
Retired AT&T Executive
Author
Cynt Marshall has been a dynamic force in business over a 36-year career at AT&T and almost seven years as the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. Cynt has been a champion for achieving business results through inclusion and a relentless focus on people and operational excellence.
Prior to her joining the Mavs, Cynt founded Marshalling Resources, a consulting firm specializing in leadership development, culture transformation and optimization of people resources.
As Senior Vice President – Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer, Cynt led the team that created a world class culture and also spearheaded the work that for the first time placed AT&T on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2017, one of only two Fortune 50 companies. She’s had similar results with her clients at Marshalling Resources.
Cynt also served as President-AT&T North Carolina where she became the first African-American chair of the North Carolina State Chamber of Commerce.
Widely recognized for her visionary leadership and ability to get things done, Cynt is the recipient of several honors and awards, including the 2024 Junior Achievement Dallas Business Hall of Fame Laureate award and the 2022 Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Hope for Humanity award. In 2021, Forbes named Cynt one of 15 of the world’s most inspiring female leaders.
A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management, Cynt is also the recipient of five honorary doctorate degrees. She serves on four corporate boards and on several non-profit boards, including Dallas CASA, UC Berkeley Board of Visitors, and the Dallas Regional Chamber where Cynt is the immediate past chair of the board. Cynt is also on the board and the co-founder of Pro Sports Assembly and recently named to The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Board of Governors. In May 2025, Cynt was named Cal Alumni of the Year.
Cynt’s first book, You’ve Been Chosen, was released in September 2022 and nominated for an NAACP Image award. She grew up in Richmond, California, and lives in Dallas, Texas. Cynt and her husband, Kenneth Marshall, have four adult children.
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs presents
National Hispanic
Heritage Month 2025
In collaboration with Dining Services, Cardinal Volunteers, Program Board, and Alumni Relations
SVSU’s National Hispanic Heritage Month was a vibrant and successful celebration filled with engaging events that highlighted culture, community, and connection. Throughout the month, students came together to enjoy lively activities, educational programs, as well as cultural experiences that honored Hispanic and Latinx heritage. Through strong collaboration across campus, SVSU fostered an inclusive environment that encouraged learning, celebration, and appreciation of diverse traditions which made the month both meaningful and memorable for all who participated.
Cultural Bridges: Tokushima High School Students Present Japan at SVSU
Meet students from Tokushima High School in Japan! In partnership with Saginaw Valley State University, these students were able to introduce Cultural Fun Facts about Japan through a Gallery Walk.
Celebration of JUNETEENTH
SVSU held its Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2025, in Curtiss Hall, honoring the history and significance of this important holiday. The event highlighted the meaning of Juneteenth and SVSU’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating Black history and freedom. Attendees enjoyed a welcoming atmosphere with games, shared activities, and gifts for those who participated, creating a joyful and inclusive celebration for everyone involved.
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Courageous Conversation
The Office of Diversity Programs is please to present a Courageous Conversation with
JUSTIN JONES-FOSU
Author of "The inclusive Mindset" & "I Respectfully Disagree: How to have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World"
June 23, 2025
Rhea Miller Recital Hall
- Session 1: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
- Session 2: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
THE FIRST 20 PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A FREE BOOK!
Documentary Film Screening: "Beyond Their Years"
Date & Time:
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a screening of Beyond Their Years, a 47-minute documentary that highlights the inspiring careers and lives of Buck O’Neil and Herbert Carnegie.
Following the film, a live panel discussion will explore key themes of inclusivity, equity, and allyship, featuring a representative from the hockey community.
Panel Discussion:
- Moderator: Rico Phillips, Ontario Hockey League Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
Location:
Malcolm Field Theatre, Curtiss Hall, SVSU
- Free and open to the public
- No admission fee
Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about diversity and inclusion in sports and beyond!
Karen S. Carter delivers 2023 Commencement speech for Fall graduation
Karen S. Carter, president of Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics (P&SP) business operating segment, has been selected to address Saginaw Valley State University’s graduating class during two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Carter, who has spent her entire career at Dow, was named president of P&SP in November 2022. With annual sales exceeding $29 billion, the business unit is widely recognized as the world’s largest materials supplier of polyethylene resins and functional polymers used in a wide variety of applications.
Since joining Dow in 1993, Carter has served in a progression of roles. Prior to being named president of P&SP, Carter served four years as Dow’s chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer, successfully institutionalizing inclusion and diversity as key drivers for long-term growth.
Carter has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Howard University and a master’s degree in international business from DePaul University. Carter has been widely recognized for her innovative leadership. In 2014, Carter was named to the prestigious Forty Women to Watch Over 40 list for her innovative leadership contributions. In 2018, she was named to Black Enterprise’s Top Executives in Diversity list. In 2019, Carter was named to Black Enterprise’s Most Powerful Women in Corporate America list. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Carter was recognized as one of the 100 Ethnic Minority Executives on the EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model Lists supported by Yahoo Finance and by YouTube in 2023. Most recently, she was inducted into the Kansas African American Museum Trailblazer Hall of Fame.
History Made
Mamie T. Thorns receives 2022 National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Award
Mamie T. Thorns, SVSU associate vice president and chief diversity officer for diversity, equity and inclusion, was awarded the prestigious 2022 National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Dr. Frank Hale, Jr. Award. Mamie was honored at the association's annual conference in San Diego on Friday, March 18, 2022.
Mamie has been instrumental in leading SVSU through an institutional transformation of inclusive excellence advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across our campus.
The award is presented to an individual who is distinguished in higher education, through a robust record of consistent service, for inclusive excellence; exercising innovative and courageous leadership; serving as a visionary in the field; and exemplifying the philosophy, principles, and practices of the Association; and contributing to diversity and inclusive excellence in higher education.
