Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

8 students standing together and smiling at the camera
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Defiance College
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been an important part of the history and culture of Defiance College since its founding in 1850 as the Defiance Female Seminary. Defiance College is committed to making DEI an integral part of the campus experience by grounding its principle in our mission, core values, overarching strategies, campus covenant, college learning objectives, and academic strategies. It is our vision to become a national model for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

INCLUSION STATEMENT
We are in the process of constructing a new statement that promotes the institutional values, honors the personal experiences, and clearly states the expectations of our campus community.


Taskforce on Anti-Racism

In August of 2020, President Richanne Mankey established the Taskforce on Anti-Racism. The group was charged to provide the President and Board of Trustees with a list of recommendations to move toward a campus-wide agenda for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The taskforce provided the following eleven recommendations:

  • Become Presidential Advisory Council
  • Explore Campus Inclusion Statement
  • Facilitate annual assessment of students, staff, and faculty
  • Encourage inclusive language across campus
  • Continue to promote understanding of inclusive terminology
  • Continue training opportunities and open dialogue forums for students, staff, and faculty
  • Offer Opportunities Toward Restorative Justice
  • Increase and promote availability of resources
  • Diversify staff and faculty representative of student demographic
  • Encourage curriculum coverage of Anti-Racism, Multiculturalism, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Bridge the gap between campus and the community

B.REALL

At the completion of the Taskforce on Anti-Racism work, members of the taskforce transitioned into B.REALL. B.REALL is an acronym for Belongingness, Race, Equity, Access, and Lifelong Learning. This group is charged with implementing the recommendations from the Taskforce on Anti-Racism. The group consists of four sub-committees named for the four concepts of a Vibrant DC Campus Environment as part of our overarching strategies: Belongingness, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism.

B.REALL Subcommittee and Purpose

  • Belongingness
    • Offer opportunities toward restorative justice
    • Encourage curriculum coverage of Anti-Racism, Multiculturalism, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Bridge the gap between campus and the community
    • Blueprint for Belongingness
  • Inclusion
    • Explore Campus Inclusion Statement
    • Encourage inclusive language across campus
    • Continue to promote understanding of inclusive terminology
  • Accessibility
    • Facilitate annual assessment of students, staff, and faculty
    • Increase and promote availability of resources
  • Anti-Racism
    • Continue training opportunities and open dialogue forums for students, staff, and faculty
    • Diversify staff and faculty representative of student demographic

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Comprised of students, faculty, staff, board of trustees, and community members.


ADDITIONAL LINKS