Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan

Westminster strives to become an inclusive excellence institution, meaning an institution that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion principles as core institutional values by engaging the campus community in critical self-examination, collaborative learning, and integrative practices that acknowledge and affirm diverse identities, perspectives, and experiences.

At Westminster, this work was furthered through strategic action planning and policy development. With the accomplishments related to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan, there is movement towards this goal. The aim of the strategic action plan was to transform the institutional culture for diversity and promote equity-centered approaches to teaching, support services, and student engagement. While there remains work to be done, here we celebrate our accomplishments within each of the plan goals.

The purpose of disaggregating data is to illuminate areas of inequity and to enable the development of equity-minded solutions. In order to situate student data for disaggregated analysis, the College's Data Managers updated the data entry standards creating contemporary identity-based fields and descriptions. The Name Policy was written to include use of common names within campus spaces and on campus documents, while ensuring strategies for student safety with regard to name usage. Finally, the College adopted a Policy on the Use of Disaggregated Data which regularizes the use and publication of assessment data disaggregated by gender/gender-identity, first-generation status, Pell-eligibility, and race/ethnicity.

Three training opportunities were offered to administrators, faculty, and staff within the timeframe of the DEI strategic action plan. First, all employees were required to complete DEI and implicit bias training via Vector Solutions. Second, faculty and staff participated in the Liberal Arts College Racial Equity Leadership Alliance (LACRELA) which provides digital tools and resources on topics pertaining to racial equity. Lastly, the College's Leadership Team, faculty, and staff participated in a workshop titled Becoming Equity-Minded in which participants learned to recognize practices and policies that inhibit racial equity in student success. Furthermore, participants learned about tools for equity-minded problem solving and initiative-building.

In order to promote a culture of inclusion and respect, the College adopted an Anti-Bias Policy and grievance procedure. Furthermore, the College developed the Student Success Program which provides particularized support for historically underrepresented students who score low on one or more non-cognitive factors for student success. Assessment results suggest this program has been effective at helping identified students develop skills that will promote their success overall.

In October 2022, the College celebrated the opening of the Cultural Center on the first floor of McKelvey Campus Center. The Cultural Center was the vision of former Associate Dean, Candace Okello and under her leadership, the Cultural Center has become a place of comfort, learning, celebration, and excellence for students. It is the home of our Black Student Union (BSU), Disability Awareness Club (DAC), and Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) student organizations. The Cultural Center has also featured faculty-led cultural programs, Diversity Week programming, and identity-theme month programs. Also, the Cultural Immersion Program was created to provide a transformative travel experience for students regardless of their ability to pay. Demonstrating their deep commitment to DEI, this program was funded by the Board of Trustees. Finally, Student Life and Residence Life staff collaborated to develop a cultural competency training for student leaders.

Early in the action plan cycle, faculty voted to create a standing faculty committee committed to developing inclusive teaching and learning strategies and to providing cultural learning experiences throughout the Westminster curriculum. The library curated a digital tool for equity literature and the committee chair announces all DEI curricular offerings to students prior to course registration each semester. The committee is currently developing a Collective Studies Program which will create space and opportunity for faculty and staff to engage in learning and dialogue around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.