Goal: Commit campus-wide to a framework that integrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in furtherance of our mission.
Objectives:
- Create an Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan and related divisional plans that are grounded in our Jesuit mission and advance anti-racism.
- Improve recruitment and retention of faculty and staff from underrepresented and underserved communities.
- Foster a campus culture of belonging, respect, recognition and support.
- Support inclusive excellence broadly in teaching and learning.
- Ensure equity in policies and procedures.
Tomicka Wagstaff leads the strategy and implementation behind our Inclusive Excellence initiatives. She serves as Vice President for Justice, Equity, Belonging and Identity, a key role that provides leadership and strategic direction for the College’s efforts to create and sustain an inclusive campus community that values and celebrates difference.
Since announcing our Aspire plan, we've gathered our community together to identify a framework for achieving a more diverse and culturally representative undergraduate student body, faculty, and staff. Here's some of what we've accomplished so far:
Strategic Planning
Created an inclusive excellence plan, adapted from the University of Virginia’s successful model.
Remove Barriers to Applying
Waived application fees for applicants residing in New England gateway cities.
Department Planning
Working with campus divisions, departments and programs to complete diversity, equity and inclusion plans. Human Resources and the Office of Student Development are first on the list.
Student Spaces
Reimagined Carey Lounge as a space for students to be in community with one another and to create more opportunities for students to connect across differences
Expanded Programming
Hosted a variety of programs, training opportunities and partnerships to support the work of inclusive excellence, including first generation student initiatives and seminars for inclusive excellence and teaching.
Restructured Resources
Announced a new name— Justice, Equity, Belonging, and Identity (JEBI)—and mission and vision statement for the office formerly known as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Faculty & Staff Training
Launched a new Justice, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion Foundation Certification program in August 2023 for faculty and staff.
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion held a Town Hall to provide an update on how we're working towards our goal of achieving an accessible, equitable campus that is representative of the rich diversity in our communities.
Town Hall Updates
On October 4, 2023, a Town Hall was held to provide updates from our leadership team on each of the six pillars of our Aspire strategic plan.
Get Involved
If you have a question about Aspire or a suggestion or idea related to one of its aims, we invite you to review the plan and share your thoughts.