Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Division of Student Affairs has a strong foundation of providing inclusive programs and services to our students, families, staff, and alumni. The Student Affairs Diversity Council developed division-wide cultural competency expectations for staff to support the overarching university goal of fostering an inclusive environment by cultural understanding, ethical behavior, and social justice. The Inclusion Change Team was created to provide in-depth analysis of current inclusion practices within each department and to implement new strategies and facilitate discussion around areas of cultural competency. Division staff continue to broaden their understanding of culture and social justice and practice this understanding in our interactions with colleagues, students, and other members of the University community.

Inclusion Team

The Inclusion Change Team was created in the fall of 2014 to infuse inclusion efforts throughout each department in the Division. Each of the Division’s 13 departments has at least one Inclusion Practitioner that receives ongoing, in-depth training on evaluation, implementation, and facilitation of diversity efforts. This innovative approach allows for each department to make significant and sustainable change in their environment, practices, and programs to create a more inclusive home for our students and staff.

Departments and Individuals

As part of ongoing diversity and inclusion efforts, nearly 350 Student Affairs staff members participated in cultural competency workshops in the last year, further positioning the Division to provide a welcoming and safe environment that is free of hate, intolerance, and injustice for all Illinois State community members.

Opportunities to Develop

The Division remains committed to providing opportunities for staff to develop professionally through programs, workshops, and trainings that increase and expand knowledge, skills, and perspectives. Through this commitment, we continue to influence the campus culture to achieve student engagement, inclusion, and pride in Illinois State University.

Well-trained and committed staff are only a piece of the puzzle. The Division is proud to continually offer innovative, inclusive programs to campus. For example, in 2015 we hosted one of the largest LGBTQIA college conferences in the nation, the Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Ally College Conference (MBLGTACC), with nearly 2,300 attendees.