Resources
What is DEI?
You may have heard the acronym “DEI” used a great deal in conversations recently – especially if you have been keeping track of bills in the Texas legislature targeting DEI programs and initiatives at institutions of higher education.
You may be wondering if and how DEI has impacted your experiences in college and beyond so here is a one-stop-shop to learning what DEI really is and how prevalent it is in our every-day lives.
Defining DEI
DEI, as an acronym, stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. While separately the words diversity, equity, and inclusion have their own meanings and contexts, together the words create a holistic approach to fostering spaces, programs, organizations, pedagogy, and institutional practices in order to support and uplift historically marginalized identities. Although these programs and policies often identify certain groups that need specific support, everyone benefits from DEI initiatives as they create diverse spaces where people from many backgrounds, cultures, and identities can interact, collaborate, and learn.
What does DEI look like?
Student Organizations
Black Student Unions, Latine Student Associations, AAPI Groups, Indigenous Student Organizations, Multicultural Greek Life, Religious Organizations, LGBTQIA+ Organizations, and Disability Advocacy Organizations.
Professional Organizations
Hispanic Faculty Staff Association, Black Faculty and Staff Association, National Urban League, National Society of Black Engineers, National Association of Asian American Professionals, National Native American Bar Association, and Human Rights Campaign.
Student Success Programs
First-Generation programs, Men of Color programs (Heman Sweatt Center, Project MALES), and Women in STEM.
Identity Based Offices
Gender & Sexuality Center, Multicultural Centers Disability & Access Offices, and Women’s Centers.