Welcome
Welcome to the Office of Inclusive Excellence
Our Inclusive Excellence framework provides strategic direction for current and future diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice initiatives.
The framework for inclusive excellence involves three major areas of work which include developing equitable and innovative curricula, establishing and supporting diverse recruiting, hiring, and retaining practices, and sustaining an inclusive campus climate and community.
We believe that through broad, knowledgeable, and humble collaboration, we can learn from each other and build on each other’s strengths to achieve shared results.
We recognize that to truly be inclusive we must draw attention to the depth and breadth of the diversity represented at William James College. Acknowledging both the recognition and appreciation of diversity, our definition includes age, culture, different ideas and perspectives, disability, ethnicity, first generation status, familial status, gender identity and expression, geographic background, marital status, national origin, race, religious, political, and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status. We also recognize that the historical exclusion and marginalization of specific social groups must be addressed to promote equity.
We live in a time when higher education is changing dramatically. These changes include the demographics of the student population, the role of technology in instruction, the need to assure physical and psychological safety of students, staff, and faculty, and the rethinking of the financing of Higher Education. We also face significant and appropriate pressures to assess the impact of our curricula more effectively, and to demonstrate the value of our educational and student life experiences that promote a sense of belonging. These changes pose significant challenges for the leadership of a college. At the same time, though, they provide significant opportunities for prepared and skillful leaders to understand these challenges and to act in a way that is responsive to emerging needs of the multiple constituencies in and served by Higher Education.
Please allow our website to serve as a resource for you to learn about our inclusive excellence framework, participate in a training or workshop and find ways to engage collaboratively with our community. Our dedicated staff are here to answer any questions that you might have.
We warmly invite you to join us as we strive toward inclusive excellence and the support of a community where we may all belong.
Office of Inclusive Excellence
The Office of Inclusive Excellence (OIE) provides college-wide leadership and accountability in developing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working and learning environments. In collaboration with campus and community partners, OIE is an institutional resource that supports the College’s mission and strategic plan of Inclusive Excellence.
Framework
The Inclusive Excellence framework infuses diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. This involves a critical examination and ongoing holistic review of all out of the systems, policies, curriculum and pedagogy practices, staff and faculty development opportunities, student engagement, and communications.