DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Ed Fierros, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, talks to a student.

Diversity celebrates difference—of race, gender, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, political beliefs, religious tradition and more. Inclusion promotes a sense of belonging that empowers others—valuing and practicing respect for the talents, beliefs and backgrounds of all its members. And equity engages everyone—allowing people with marginalized identities an equal opportunity to grow, contribute and develop.

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) includes a set of interrelated goals embedded in the University’s Augustinian mission and realized in three primary areas—first, the diversity of our students, staff, faculty and administration; second, the environment we cultivate by inviting others to be a real part of our community; and third, the courses, programs and professional opportunities we offer that provide the students, staff, faculty and administration an intercultural experience. Further, the College is committed to anti-racism, the policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial acceptance.

Commitment to DEI

Core curriculum diversity requirement

Consistent with the University’s Mission Statement and the new Core Curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students will take at least two courses designated as “diversity.” Learning to see through the eyes of other peoples and cultures is essential to becoming a citizen of the world. Beyond introducing students to the contextual study of diverse groups, diversity education must foster understanding of how individuals are affected within systems of power, oppression, deprivation, marginalization and privilege.

Academic programs

The College has several undergraduate and graduate degree programs relevant to DEI.

DEI Committees

In addition to the College's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, each department within the college has its own diversity committee, comprising of faculty, staff and students.

View the Department DEI committee chairs.

READ THE ANTI-RACISM COMMITMENT (VU login required)

REPORT A CLIMATE CONCERN

CLAS Diversity, Equity Inclusion Committee

The College DEI committee's mission is to ensure a diverse, equitable, culturally conscious and inclusive environment among our administration, faculty, staff, and students. In our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion we evaluate, hold accountable, and serve as a resource for college departmental Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees. We aspire to be a voice for all members of CLAS to foster active dialogue and initiatives that promote the University’s commitment to a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.

CELEBRATING DIFFERENCE

RESEARCH RECOGNITION

Raka Shome, PhD, was awarded the Inaugural Global Communication Award and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Award presented by the National Communication Association in 2023. The IDEA Award recognizes scholarly engagement that demonstrates outstanding research on IDEA issues and brings new insights to the discipline. Dr. Shome’s favorite areas of study reflect her dedication to addressing global inequalities, such as postcolonial issues, gender and nationalism, and transnational feminism. With expertise in critical media studies, globalization feminism, postcolonial studies, Dr. Shome brings diverse perspectives into her teaching.

DEDICATED TO INCLUSION FOR ALL ABILITIES

Gabe Donovan ’26 CLAS is a Public Service and Administration (PSA) major with minors in Disability and Deaf Studies and Humanities. Interested in Villanova’s disability initiatives, Gabe got involved with LEVEL, a student group formed to bridge the gap between students with various abilities and disabilities. “LEVEL should be the status quo (on college campuses), but it is not.” Gabe applauds the way that LEVEL is breaking new ground by fostering inclusion and support for disabled individuals in higher education.

HONORING OUR ALUMNA

Latesha D. Beasley '14 MPA is the 2023 Graduate Alumni Medallion recipient, recognizing an alumna or alumnus of the College’s master’s or doctorate programs who demonstrates a great capacity for creativity, innovation and contribution to the common good. Beasley has deep professional roots in the nonprofit and educational sectors, where she has advocated for social justice and sustainable change. Currently, Beasley is the Vice President of Operations at Girard College, a full scholarship boarding school for students from underserved communities.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

The Villanova Program at State Correctional Institution (SCI) Phoenix, one of the oldest, continuously running degree-granting prison education programs in the US, received a grant from the Mellon Foundation to support its expansion and development of a statewide consortium on higher education prison programs. “With the Mellon Foundation’s support, we plan to double enrollment in the Phoenix program because we know the impact it has on our students,” says Kate Meloney, director of the Villanova Program at SCI Phoenix.

STUDYING CLIMATE JUSTICE

Sydney Walsh ’24 CLAS is double majoring in Environmental Science and Geography. Her recent research project, “Analyzing Trends in Heavy Precipitation Events and Vulnerability in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region from 1940 to 2021,” explores human-environment interactions and climate justice issues in the Philadelphia region. Her findings illustrate Philadelphia’s most vulnerable populations live with a growing amount of built land and precipitation, raising their disaster odds. Analyzing changing precipitation trends, location implications, and impacted populations is important for risk assessment and disaster mitigation.