Efforts to make public relations and advertising more diverse and inclusive earn CMN professor provost award

Sydney Dillard, associate professor in the College of Communication, led efforts to recruit students from historically underrepresented backgrounds into the public relations and advertising fields with the Building Resources for Advertising Needs and Diversity (BRAND) Summer Program. Through a partnership with Chicago Scholars, Leo Burnett and Facebook, high school juniors and seniors explored career opportunities, creative thinking and skill-building, and visited PR agencies and tech companies.

For this program and extensive work on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the university and within her discipline, Dillard was recognized with the 2024 Provost's Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Individual Award at DePaul's fall convocation. The prestigious award recognizes faculty members who excel in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university community.

“At DePaul, our diversity makes us stronger -- it's core to who we are as a Vincentian institution," said Provost Salma Ghanem. “I congratulate Sydney on her commitment and championship of equity and diversity in her field and across our campus."

In addition to the BRAND Summer Program, Dillard developed the Visiting Industry Professional Fellowship program, which brings C-suite public relations and advertising professionals to the PRAD graduate program for career mentorship, industry insights, and partnership-building. In the College of Communication, she plays an active role on the DEI committee and working group. She has previously served as the Communications Coordinator and Faculty Co-Chair for DePaul University's Black Leadership Coalition, an employee resource group, and is a member of the Faculty Council Standing Committee for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity.

“The fight for equity, fairness, and belonging is ongoing—and each step forward is meaningful, no matter how small it may seem at times," said Dillard. “This award is not just mine; it belongs to every student, colleague, and community member who has shared their story, voiced their needs, and pushed for a better, more inclusive campus."

"Sydney effectively integrates DEI related initiatives to her teaching, research, and university and professional activities" says PRAD Professor and Program Director Shu-Chuan Chu. “Her contribution has made a significant impact on the DePaul community through her forward-thinking, strategic approaches."

Dillard's commitment to DEI extends into her scholarly and professional endeavors as well. As guest editor of the upcoming spring 2025 special edition of the journal Advertising and Society Quarterly, "Increasing the Visibility of Advertising Research on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): The Status of Minoritized Groups in Advertising," Dillard is curating research and examples that showcase how the advertising industry effectively incorporates DEIA. With leadership roles in the Mass Communication's Advertising Division and Minorities and Communication Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Dillard works to elevate DEI in scholarship and advance DEI initiatives within the association.

“Sydney embodies the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion," says College of Communication dean Lexa Murphy. “Whether in the classroom, through her scholarship, or in her professional associations, she is a champion for the integration of diverse perspectives and creating an atmosphere where innovation thrives, and every voice can find resonance."

Looking toward the future, Dillard is focused on increasing the impact of her DEI initiatives with more data-driven techniques, fostering dialogue on campus, and emphasizing intersectionality. “Too often, DEIA efforts can focus on singular aspects of identity, but people's experiences are shaped by the intersections of race, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, and more. I want to build initiatives that reflect this complexity, making sure that our programs and policies are responsive to the diverse realities people live every day."