Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is rooted in our Catholic identity at St. Thomas. Archbishop John Ireland founded the University of St. Thomas for immigrants who weren't welcomed elsewhere. Our convictions call us to protect and enhance the dignity of every human and to work for a more just and equitable society. We strive to be a university characterized by radical hospitality and are steadfast in our commitment to embedding a shared sense of belonging where all feel welcomed.
The university's internal work on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is coordinated through the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI). ODEI ensures that our work within the university to make St. Thomas more inclusive happens at all levels and includes everyone. By using data and stories to measure progress and experiences, and by transparently communicating across the university, ODEI helps campus culture continuously become more diverse and welcoming. In addition, Student Diversity and Inclusion Services (SDIS) directly supports students by offering programming that promotes diversity and social justice awareness and working to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.
At the same time, St. Thomas is working outside of our walls to achieve social justice and dismantle inequities in the broader community through the Racial Justice Initiative. Through a distinctive focus on historical recovery, the Initiative creates opportunities in partnership with local leaders and groups for critical conversations and actions around racial justice.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are indispensable to academic excellence and the holistic development of our students. Our university community includes and welcomes people of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experiences, physical and intellectual abilities, financial means, and all other characteristics as protected by applicable laws.
Opened in 2017, Dougherty Family College offers an associate degree designed to propel students towards success and provide a smooth transition to a four-year college. This two-year college program is for inspired students who want to obtain a four-year college degree and face financial or social obstacles on the way to their goal.
SDIS promotes diversity and social justice awareness for all students through personal interactions, leadership and training opportunities, and various sponsored and co-sponsored educational programs. We aim to ensure the retention and graduation rates of students of color are equitable, and to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
In May 2021, the Committee finalized its Report on Principles for Renaming, which provides a coherent set of principles to use when considering the renaming of a building, program, or other asset at the University.
March marks the 60th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march, a series of marches organized to protest the widespread denial of voting rights and other freedoms for Black Americans under Jim Crow laws. The marches would become a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and led to passage of the Voting Rights Act of… The post Tales from the Archives: St. Thomas’ Selma Connection appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Black History Month is an opportunity to recognize the legacy of Black leaders, honor the past, and reflect on the progress still to be made. However, it’s not just a month – it’s an ongoing commitment to education, reflection and action. Recently, members of the University of St. Thomas community reflected on three questions: what… The post Reflections on Black History: St. Thomas Community Speaks appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Dr. Aura Wharton-Beck, associate professor in the School of Education at the University of St. Thomas, was mentioned in an EntertainDC video on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The video described Wharton-Beck’s dissertation on “government girls,” who were African American women working for the federal government during World War II. “The purpose of my research is to… The post Dr. Aura Wharton-Beck's Dissertation Research on WWII 'Government Girls' Featured in D.C. Video appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
The founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at St. Thomas, Dr. Yohuru Williams, was the emcee for the 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for the state of Minnesota. The “One Dream, One Minnesota” event was held at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. Williams, a Distinguished University Chair… The post Dr. Yohuru Williams Reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy for a New Generation appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Dr. Yohuru Williams, the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, teamed up with adjunct faculty member and ODEI ambassador Sheree Curry for a commentary about President Trump’s executive orders centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It was published in the Minnesota Star Tribune. From the commentary: “The executive… The post In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Commentary on President’s Executive Orders About DEI appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.