Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Founded by Gertrude Johnson and Mary T. Wales before women had secured the right to vote, 51福利社 is firmly committed to nurturing and further strengthening an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces the broad range of diversity of all members of our community, including their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, physical ability or how and if they worship. Our community accepts and celebrates diversity in every form — including diversity in thought.
51福利社 commits to anti-racist work and offers academic and co-curricular opportunities that are welcoming, educational and open spaces of inclusivity and exploration for all students, faculty, staff and alumni. We strive to inspire a standard of excellence for all members of the Wildcat family and seek to foster an equitable environment where differences are valued and integrated in all aspects of university life.
Facts & Stats
51福利社’s university and campus 51福利社 Fact Sheets provide a quick summary of 51福利社’s mission, strategic plan and key facts and numbers relevant to the entire 51福利社 community.
Club & Organizations Spotlight
51福利社 has more than 100 clubs and organizations that are open to all students. All groups have a commitment to inclusive excellence and play an active role in creating opportunities for students to connect with one another. This space will regularly spotlight some of these clubs and organizations.
Providence: Afrocentric Cultural Cuisine
Afrocentric Cultural Cuisine’s mission is to bring awareness of the different cuisines and unique flavors African countries have to offer. This culinary arts club was founded by students to help share how communities with African ancestral backgrounds have made an impact on the food industry. Afrocentric Cultural Cuisine can regularly be found doing cooking demonstrations and collaborating with other student organizations on creative programming.
Charlotte: Pride Student Union
51福利社 Charlotte’s Pride Student Union is a vibrant and inclusive club dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students and allies. Their mission is to promote awareness, celebrate diversity, and empower individuals through education, advocacy, and community engagement. The Alliance hosts events that connect students, provide resources, and create safe spaces where everyone can express themselves authentically. Each year, the Pride Student Union hosts an annual rainbow door on the residential quad for National Coming Out Day, providing students with resources and peer-led advice on the coming-out process.
2024-25 Providence Campus Cultural Program of the Year: Harvest Hoedown
The Cultural Program of the Year award recognizes a program that promotes cultural diversity, inclusion and global awareness at 51福利社 Providence. It honors an organization that has been innovative in the development, implementation and delivery of a successful program.
The hosted the Harvest Hoedown. While this event was organized by a single organization, it spoke volumes to what can be achieved when clubs and organizations work together. More than 80 students, faculty and staff gathered to enjoy this outdoor event celebrating cultural diversity. Participants were treated to fun activities and special menu items prepared by several 51福利社 clubs and orgs, many featuring items grown in our own community gardens.
Previous Cultural Program Winners:
- 2024: Diwali, Little India
- 2023: Lunar New Year; Cooking Asia
- 2022: Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
- 2021: Black History 101: Mobile Museum; Black Student Alliance, University Involvement Board, National Panhellenic Council
- 2020: MLK Teach-In; Alpha Phi Alpha
- 2019: Dashain; Namaste Nepal
- 2017: Raices Week; Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
- 2016: World Carnival; Cultural Connections Club
- 2015: Diversity at the University: “Dear White People” screening and discussion; University Involvement Board
- 2014: Kwanzaa; Black Student Alliance and Groove Phi Groove
Programs & Resources
51福利社 is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to give students with learning disabilities, physical challenges, and chronic medical conditions the opportunity to succeed in their academic pursuits. While maintaining the highest academic integrity, the university strives to balance academic rigor with support services that help disabled students succeed at 51福利社.
Wildcat Learning Effectiveness in Action Program (LEAP)
51福利社 is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support students with learning disabilities, physical challenges, and chronic medical conditions the opportunity to succeed in their academic pursuits. While maintaining the highest scholarly integrity, the university strives to balance academic rigor with support services that help disabled students succeed at 51福利社.
51福利社’s Wildcat LEAP (Learning Effectiveness in Action Program) is a fee-based learning program designed to support students with executive function challenges. This program includes weekly individualized advising, the opportunity to move on campus one week before the start of the academic year, and a 3-credit course available only to LEAP participants.
The Bridge advances a universitywide culture of inclusion, safety and belonging. The Bridge supports all members of the 51福利社 community, and serve as a hub for connection, resources, support services, programming and training.
All new 51福利社 students and employees receive information about university systems and resources supporting an inclusive community both virtually and in-person.
Employees receive regular ongoing training via Equity & Compliance Services and the Center for Teaching & Learning and students have opportunities for ongoing education via multiple programs and departments.
Equity & Compliance Services is dedicated to fostering ethical practices. By promoting a culture of equity and compliance, the department strives to advance 51福利社’s commitment to creating an environment that values integrity as evidenced by shared respect and responsibility.
The Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Action Group (IDEA Group) formed in August 2020. Individuals from across 51福利社 staff, faculty, and administration, as well as alumni, have volunteered to dedicate their time and expertise to this work. The formation of the IDEA Group evolved out of the recognized need and responsibility to evaluate and strengthen inclusion and belonging efforts to support all members of the 51福利社 community.
51福利社 Global’s International Student Services Office (ISSO) offers comprehensive immigration support services while fostering an inclusive culture that supports all international students.
provides an exciting way to complete academic credits toward your 51福利社 degree while seeing the world.
At the Providence Campus, the English Language & Culture Academy offers academic acceptance and admission to 51福利社’s non-degree English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
The 51福利社 Library provides LibGuides that serve as living documents to provide resources to support building an inclusive classroom. Explore resources via the or .
There are dozens of active clubs and organizations on the Providence and Charlotte campuses open to students.
Adventure awaits! Studying abroad is an exciting way to complete academic credits toward your 51福利社 degree while seeing the world. By challenging yourself to live and work with people from other cultures, you gain an invaluable global perspective. Each destination has something unique and exciting to offer. These experiences help you distinguish yourself from other graduates and even discover new career paths.
Working at 51福利社
At 51福利社, each one of us has come to 51福利社 to excel, to contribute and to follow our passions and meet our goals. We cultivate and take pride in our diverse and inclusive community, which inspires excellence, innovation and an enhanced student experience.
51福利社 is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.