Let's chat about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Student affairs professionals need to constantly ask themselves if they are promoting an equitable environment for their students. Given the increasing rates of diverse student populations, student affairs educators need to work diligently to ensure that institutions represent their student bodies and are able to provide them with adequate resources. Higher education institutions house non-traditionally aged, international, minoritized, and non-able-bodied student populations. Given the variety and diversity in student narratives, it is understandable that institutions have a hard time representing and catering to their students. However, it is important to properly represent and acknowledge diverse student narratives so that all students feel empowered to learn and grow.

As a student affairs educator, it is important to celebrate students for who they are and what they represent. Being inclusive of student narratives and backgrounds allows students to feel like they belong at their institutions. Catering to student development should be a priority because after all, without students, there would not be institutions of higher education. Creating equitable environments involves investigation and research about the background of student populations. Assessing cultural, ethnic, religious, as well as sexual identity is crucial in terms of mitigating the appropriate resources for students. Assessing the different identities in an institution will allow student affairs educators to provide the appropriate cultural experiences, facilities, programming, and events.

As a student affairs educator, it is important to create initiatives that highlight cultural awareness, inclusion, and social justice. A way to highlight inclusivity and social justice is via institutional calendars which embody the holidays of the entire student body. For example, a calendar commemorating holidays like Kwanzaa, Diwali, Indigenous People’s Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Black History Month, to name a few, would allow students to feel like their institutions celebrate their identities. Collaborating with student organizations, members of the community, academic departments, the campus activities board, and administrators to provide adequate programming to observe these holidays is another way to appreciate student narratives and bring cultural awareness to the institution. Creating equitable experiences is a way to educate the entire campus community while appreciating individual differences and diverse perspectives.