Columbia SPS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Initiative
Message from the Dean
In July 2020, President Bollinger outlined Columbia’s commitment to antiracism, announced steps we are taking as an institution to do more, and asked the University community to dedicate ourselves to a New Civil Rights Movement. The School of Professional Studies is heeding that call in several ways to create more inclusive education spaces and workplaces. We are advancing our faculty diversity program; investing in collaborative research initiatives; facilitating discussions between faculty, students, and field experts; and listening to the climate of our programs and departments.
The School is poised to affect real change, thanks to our strong relationships across industries and our commitment to developing principled, effective leaders and compassionate, engaged citizens."
Here you will find the School’s developing strategy in our commitment to antiracism, as well as resources for our students, faculty, and staff to guide us as we work together toward achieving greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Sincerely,
Troy J. Eggers
Dean
Columbia University School of Professional Studies
Message from the Chief Diversity Officer
We need to understand that any DEIA initiative has to be grounded in the fundamental belief that each and every one of us deserves to be treated with dignity—that we are born with intrinsic value and worth. That includes feeling a sense of belonging, being heard, and being able to make a difference. Together, the various elements of DEIA provide us a lens through which we see who we are as an organization and a community, how we treat each other, and what we need to do to make sure that each member of our community flourishes.
Diversity refers to the various groups with which we are identified or choose to identify. We usually focus on race and gender, but to fully measure the diversity of our community--students, staff, and faculty--we will need to explore other categories such as sexual orientation, gender identity, physical/cognitive abilities, socioeconomic background, etc. Are these identities and groups, particularly those that have been and to this day remain underrepresented and marginalized, visible and celebrated in SPS?
Equity means that all members of our community are treated fairly and justly in our organizational structures, policies, procedures, and day-to-day practices. Inclusion means that each and everyone in our community, especially those who are relegated to the margins, feel welcomed and heard. Beyond words, we should all feel that we have a say in the very decisions that impact us. Finally, Accessibility means allowing full representation and participation to everyone, regardless of physical and cognitive ability.
Through the DEIA lens, we clearly see who we are and who we aspire to be as a community.
Equity means that all members of our community are treated fairly and justly in our organizational structures, policies, procedures, and day-to-day practices. Inclusion means that each and everyone in our community, especially those who are relegated to the margins, feel welcomed and heard."
Equity means that all members of our community are treated fairly and justly in our organizational structures, policies, procedures, and day-to-day practices. Inclusion means that each and everyone in our community, especially those who are relegated to the margins, feel welcomed and heard.
Sincerely,
Erwin de Leon, Ph.D.
Chief Diversity Officer and Lecturer in the Discipline of Nonprofit Management
Columbia University School of Professional Studies
University Partners
- Office of the Provost: Inclusive Faculty Pathways
- Office of University Life - Inclusion & Belonging
- Resources for Racial Justice
- Columbia University LGBTQ+ Resource Guide
- The LGBTQ+ Scholarship Initiative
- Pronouns in Use Project
- Webiar: How to Be a Visible LGBTQ+ Ally
SPS Partner Programs
The School of Professional Studies works with partners across the university to offer Columbia University courses and content around the world.
- Justice in Education (JIE) Program
- Bundles Scholars Program
- Obama Foundation Scholars Program
- Atlantic Fellows in Racial Equity Program
Questions
If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions, or you want to get involved with diversity initiatives at SPS, send us an email at spsdiversity [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.