Inclusive Excellence 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. This work is furthered through strategic action planning and policy development that aims to transform institutional culture, leading to equity-centered approaches to teaching and student engagement.
Westminster College strives to become an inclusive excellence institution, and with the development of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan, there is movement towards this goal. Through ongoing planning, assessment, and engagement in learning about diversity and inclusion topics by all members of the campus community, we will further the College’s vision of providing a supportive and transformative educational experience.
To transform the institutional culture for diversity and promote equity-centered approaches to teaching, support services, and student engagement.
Utilize disaggregated demographic data to identify differences in outcomes and to provide a baseline from which to improve student advising, services, and support.
Provide opportunities for staff and administrators to engage in learning that enables them to deconstruct and redevelop daily practices to become more equitable and inclusive.
Create and revise policies, procedures and practices that improve the campus climate and create an equitable pipeline for all members of the College to thrive.
Improve the culture of student engagement to ensure cultural validation and holistic support for all students.
Promote inclusive curriculum design and pedagogical practices that enrich the educational experience across academic disciplines.
Acknowledgement of human differences including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origin, religious commitments, age, (dis)ability status, veteran status, and political perspective.
Equity is a commitment to fair treatment, access, and opportunities for all students, faculty, and staff, and it works to identify and eliminate barriers to success and acknowledge patterns of inequities shaped by oppressive systems.
Commitment to ensuring that differences are welcomed, diverse perspectives and contributions are heard and valued, and every individual feels a sense of belonging. This is achieved through ongoing assessment of campus culture and climate and implementation of inclusive practices.