• Global Citizens Plaza
    Global Citizens Plaza
Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion

Fostering a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Culture

» Strategic Plan for Diversity & Inclusion 2017-2022

Strategic Plan thumbnail

The purpose of this plan is to develop a more diverse curriculum, campus community, and culture of inclusion that will prepare our students with multicultural skills they will need to be leaders in our global society. The Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion should not be seen as a quick fix to every challenge our institution faces. The plan is, however, evidence of Chapman’s continuing commitment to creating a campus climate that strives for inclusive excellence. The importance that we place upon inclusion represents a worldview that respects the dignity of every person—faculty, staff, and student—finding value in the unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives that form one’s identity while fostering respectful exploration of competing ideas and beliefs.

All of the recommendations, goals, initiatives, and progress contained within this plan have been developed to reflect the core values of the Chapman University Mission Statement and the Chapman University Statement on Diversity & Inclusion.

Fostering A Diverse & Inclusive Campus Culture: Strategic Plan for Diversity & Inclusion (click to view)

Diversity Progress - Update One (click to view)

Diversity Progress - Update Two (click to view)

1) Curriculum: Expand Diversity and inclusion in academic curricula and student learning opportunities

Curriculum focuses on supporting and expanding 1) interdisciplinary ethnic and cultural studies minors; 2) service-learning opportunities connected to general education requirements; and 3) professional development opportunities to assist faculty with curricular innovation and infusing diversity into course content and teaching strategies in ways that are relevant and discipline-specific.

2) Recruitment: Strengthen equity and access in recruitment of students, staff, and faculty that compose a diverse and inclusive campus

Recruitment focuses on developing strategies for diversifying staff and faculty searches and for recruiting students from underserved populations in our local community. Creating support infrastructures and budgets in Admission and Financial Aid, planning early outreach activities, enhancing community engagement, designing yield events, and training recruitment staff will be critical to reaching institutional student recruitment goals.

3) Climate: Develop and implement programs, services, and physical spaces that cultivate a welcoming campus

Climate takes into account numerous communities and identities and strengthening campus resources that will enable campus community members to find the support they need to be successful. A Cross-Cultural Center will serve as the cornerstone for the Climate goal and was completed in 2017. The Center will serve all Chapman students and be equipped with necessary staffing, program and operating budgets, and capital for establishing rotating exhibits focused on various cultural topic areas. Additional emphasis will be placed on designing a campus climate that supports student success with the critical goal of increasing four to six-year graduation rates. Support for Disability Services, Student Psychological Counseling Services, Veterans Affairs, Financial Aid, First-Generation Programs, the Center for Global Education, and the Fish Interfaith Center will be critical to the success of the Climate initiative.

4) Community: Develop and sustain meaningful outreach programs and partnerships with our diverse local communities

Community focuses on expanding key roles in the Office of the Provost, the faculty, Civic Engagement Initiatives, as well as providing necessary budgets for supporting the work of staff designated in these areas of responsibility. In order to develop strong pathways for K-12 students in the local community and first-generation students to attend Chapman, it is important for faculty, staff, and students to engage with our neighboring communities to develop early outreach initiatives and supportive, educational partnerships. Particular emphasis will be placed on engagement with K-12 students in the Orange County communities.

5) Institutional Prioritization: Prioritize the commitment to diversity and inclusion through leadership and action across all levels of the institution

Leadership, infrastructure, and action are critical to the success of the initiatives in the Strategic Plan. Institutional prioritization focuses on developing necessary infrastructure, awareness, and expertise in crucial areas of the University; developing stronger data collection, strategic planning, analysis, and reporting of key performance indicators regarding campus climate, student success, and demographics; and developing and supporting a wide range of relevant professional development and educational opportunities for campus leaders: administrators, trustees, faculty, students, and staff.