Equity takes differences into account in order to help all learners succeed. It involves identifying systems and structures that acts as barriers inhibiting certain learners more than others. Equitable learning experiences provide all learners with access, support, and opportunities to be challenged and succeed.
Inclusion occurs when all learners feel welcome, valued, and safe to engage in the learning environment. Inclusion is intentionally cultivated with deliberate actions.
Resources for teaching inclusively and equitably Several centers and programs can provide resources for you and your students. The
list below is not exhaustive, but provides a few resources to explore. Center for Women and Gender Studies Office for Military and Veteran Students University Counseling and Wellbeing Center CTE takes pride in contributing to the university's Spiritan mission of providing
education as an enriching experience for all members of our community. CTE's commitment
to fostering the development of the whole person means that our definition of diversity
is intentionally fluid so as to allow for continued expansion and inclusion of all
identities. That said, it is worth acknowledging that our definition of diversity
currently includes (but is not limited to): race, ethnicity, color, nationality, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, class, religion, disability, age,
military status, visa status, economic status, geographic location, language/linguistic
ability, neurodivergence, and current/past involvement with justice systems. It is
also important to note the complexities of identity that emerge when multiple diversity
aspects . The staff at CTE consistently work toward developing and maintaining an acute awareness
of our own personal identities and how those identities have informed our approach
to experiences, situations, and other individuals. At CTE, we believe that understanding
who we are (our historical social context, values, goals, and biases) informs every
aspect of the teaching and professional development in our educational environment.
As such, we encourage all instructors and students to reflect on their own context
and positionality as well so that they can work toward addressing and eliminating
(intentional and/or unintentional) endangering behaviors that imperil the richness
that diversity can, and does, provide classrooms and departments. CTE also recognizes the historical lack of diversity that has troubled universities,
including our own, for too long. Interconnected with discussions of diversity, equity,
and inclusion is a trauma-informed approach to education and learning environments.
Trauma, defined broadly, is any event that causes bodily, emotional, mental, or spiritual
harm and/or heightened distress. However, trauma is not limited to singular events
like a car crash or the loss of a loved one; trauma can also be induced incrementally
over time. Every person processes life's events differently due to a variety of factors,
this means there is no way to put limits around "what counts as trauma." Consequently,
trauma is whatever an individual reports as traumatizing. Many individuals are impacted
by the cultural trauma of racism, sexism, heterosexism, cissexism, ableism, and other
forms of prejudice. Being aware of this trauma and creating educational spaces that
can carefully and empathetically address and move through traumatizing content is
central to creating inclusive learning environments that allow the diversity of each
whole person's lived experiences to flourish through deep and meaningful engagements
with course content. It is just as necessary to create these healthy and informed
learning experiences for students as well as for ourselves and our peers.Resources for Inclusive Teaching
The Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion
DEI Statement
Additional Resources
Explore these online resources to foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive teaching practices.