Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
BUILDING
DIVERSE AND
INCLUSIVE SPACES
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Georgian Court
Georgian Court University provides students with wide-ranging experiences to ensure they graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary for living, working, and thriving in a global society. We strive to create academic spaces and work environments in which diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are visibly celebrated and promoted. At the heart of our DEIB efforts is the desire to build a respectful community that recognizes and welcomes the full spectrum of humanity. This is achieved through university programming, training for faculty and staff, as well as academic and financial support for GCU students.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging represents our strong commitment to the mission and mercy core values of respect, integrity, justice, compassion, and service. Our office includes two Chief Diversity Co-Chairs and eight subcommittees under the Council for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (CDEIB). Together, we advance DEIB as part of GCU’s larger vision for a social justice that centers the dignity of the whole person.
CDEIB Mission and Objectives
CDEIB Mission
Led by the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, GCU’s DEIB facilitates diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in all university operations and within the local community. Specifically, we work to:
- Promote awareness of diversity/inclusion related issues through campus-wide programming and educational opportunities
- Ensure that GCU actively recruits and retains a diverse university community
- Advise GCU leadership on matters relevant to campus-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Gather and assess the overall GCU campus climate as it relates to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
CDEIB Roles and Responsibilities
GCU’s Co-Chairs of the Council for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The Co-Chairs are charged with leading institutional diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts throughout the institution. The Co-Chairs collaborate with each other and the CDEIB to align and bring common purpose to the university’s DEIB efforts grounded in the Mercy core values.
Subcommittees of the CDEIB
The Council of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging has eight subcommittees. These subcommittees are listed as follows:
- Religious Diversity
- BIPOC Concerns
- First Gen Collective
- Mental Wellness
- Veterans Affairs
- LGBTQIA+ Concerns
- Accessibility Awareness
- Women’s Concerns
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
YOU WON’T JUST FINISH COLLEGE. YOU’LL THRIVE.
We’re actively working to redefine who gets to go to college—and who graduates. Through new initiatives and programs, we’re making sure that students from diverse backgrounds get the academic support, mentoring, resources, and financial aid they need to succeed. In addition to our high retention and graduation rates, GCU is a “Top Performer” for social mobility (U.S. News & World Report). Our goal is to continue improving access to education and inclusivity for underrepresented student populations.
2
4
12
97%+
TOTAL STUDENT POPULATION (2021-2022)
STATES AND COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS
LOW-INCOME PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS
NONTRADITIONAL AGE (25+) STUDENTS
DEIB Suggestion Box
PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES FOR EVERY KIND OF STUDENT
MULTICULTURAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
GCU has more than 40 clubs and organizations to choose from. Promote greater awareness and cultural exchange with the Black Student Union, Global Lions, Latin American Student Organization (LASO), and LGBTQ at GCU.
VAMOS AND AVANZANDO (LATINX)
If you identify as a Latinx, first-generation college student, VAMOS was created just for you. Get academic support and mentoring, attend 12 workshops through UnidosUS’ Avanzando program, and connect with other Latinx students.
TRANSITION AND CAREER STUDIES (TCS)
TCS is a four-year transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities. Participants come to GCU for on-campus experiences, receive support from peer mentors, and learn academic and social skills.
TRIO-STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES (TRIO-SSS)
This federally funded program helps us ensure that every student thrives at GCU. Eligible students will get access to academic resources, including tutoring, study skills workshops, mentoring, and financial literacy training.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND (EOF)
Designed for underrepresented and financially disadvantaged students in New Jersey, the EOF program provides academic coaching and support services. Accepted first-year students join a six-week Summer Program at GCU.
STUDENT SUCCESS
We want you to be successful in your education. With that aim, Student Success offers many resources: disability services and ADA accommodations; peer tutoring; and The Learning Connection, a support program for students with disabilities.
LION’S TABLE TALK:
UNDERSTANDING RACE
The Council for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging hosts Lion’s Table Talks to encourage open and productive discussions about modern social issues. By engaging both students and the community, we hope to inform the public, challenge harmful stereotypes, and bring about positive change.
On June 18, 2020, we invited Dr. Sherritta Hughes, Dr. Joy Smith, and Kayla Wilson ’21 from GCU to discuss wide-ranging issues related to race. They were joined by local young adult activists Maurice Diawara and Caleb Lewis. Watch below, or check out our other talk, an LGBTQ Panel Discussion.
NSSE SURVEY RESULTS
Every year, we ask first-year and senior students at GCU to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). In 2021, despite the difficulties of the pandemic, we received some positive responses about student engagement, inclusiveness, and cultural diversity.
Compared to peer colleges, our survey results show that:
- GCU first-year students gave higher ratings on teaching styles and felt they had more opportunities to talk to people with different religions.
- GCU seniors had more favorable impressions of their service-learning or capstone projects. They also recognized that GCU encourages students to attend events about important social issues.
- GCU seniors gave significantly higher ratings across 18 DEIB-related items.
We hope to continue expanding our DEIB efforts so that students feel appreciated, well informed, and ready to engage with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for a lifetime beyond GCU.
READ THE LATEST
DEIB NEWS AT GCU
READ. LISTEN. LEARN. ACT.
During GCU’s first virtual meeting with President Joseph R. Marbach and members of the Black Student Union, many students, faculty members, alumni, and staffers shared book titles, web sites, and other resources worth exploring.
If you’re ready to get more involved, staying informed is an important first step. Replay the Townhall discussion or dive into some of our recommended resources.