Greetings,
With each new academic year, I reflect on what makes the University of Michigan such an incredible place—our students, faculty, and staff—who, through our world-class academic programs, innovative research and scholarship, and dedication to public engagement, create a truly one-of-a-kind experience and positively impact our campus, communities, and society.
At U-M, our pursuit of excellence and impact is interwoven with our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. These principles are not just moral imperatives – over three decades of research and evidence demonstrate that bringing together diverse perspectives and supporting the conditions of equity and inclusion leads to better problem-solving, greater access, and more just outcomes.
Collectively, our DEI initiatives cut across all areas of our mission and all communities, aiming to expand educational access, catalyze and advance innovative scholarship, improve workplace cultures, and cultivate student leadership for social impact, among many foci. Our community’s efforts have made a difference. Since the launch of our inaugural DEI strategic plan, we’ve made substantial progress in improving higher education access and affordability, increased racial and ethnic diversity among our students, faculty, and staff, and enhanced student success, or instance, raising graduation rates across all groups over the past decade and reducing group disparities in graduation outcomes.
These are just a few examples of real impacts, but we know we have much more to do. As we enter the second year of our DEI 2.0 strategic plan, we’ve continued to build on progress, launch new efforts, and identify opportunities to overcome new challenges. In the year ahead, we face a complex landscape, including global unrest and heightened political polarization. These challenges reaffirm the importance of our work and how it can help open dialogue, bridge divides, and improve inequitable systems in ways that advance understanding and social justice.
Each of us has a unique role in shaping the journey ahead and contributing to a resilient, inclusive, and just community.
I encourage you to engage deeply and participate actively as we work together toward a more just and inclusive university, and world – and know that ODEI is your partner, collaborator, and supporter.
Go Blue!
Tabbye M. Chavous, PhD
Vice Provost for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Professor of Education and Psychology