Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives: A Brief History and Timeline

Starting in the 2016-2017 academic year, Suffolk University began intentionally focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. After analyzing results from an institutional climate survey, the University’s Diversity Task Force developed a set of recommendations and President Marisa Kelly supported the implementation of the following steps:

• Hire a Vice President for Diversity, Access & Inclusion
• Develop the Access & Opportunity Fellowship Program
• Implement Employee Resource Groups (Affinity@Suffolk)
• Focus on Inclusive Recruitment and Hiring Practices

In 2018, the University became an institutional member of the Leading for Change Racial Equity and Justice Institute, facilitated by Bridgewater State University. We have also created significant campus-wide programming, including Ram Inclusion Week; Equity in the Classroom Series; Ambassadors for Inclusion; Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation initiative; and more.

Today, we have embedded more JEDI goals in the Suffolk 2025 Strategic Plan and in our departmental practices. We’ve also developed a framework to guide our progress, with four strategic pillars:

• Professional Learning and Development (Training)
• Equity-Minded Curriculum and Faculty and Support
• Institutional Operations
• Institutional Climate and Community Building

Timeline

2018-2020  
"Creating an Inclusive Community"

• Affinity@Suffolk: Employee Resource Groups
• Access & Opportunity Fellowship Program
• Equity in the Curriculum Series and Toolkit
• Inclusive Hiring and Recruitment Support

• Ambassadors for Inclusion Professional Learning Community
• Student Focus Groups
• Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative / FPCL Race on Campus
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Faculty Fellow

• Continuation of current initiatives in the updated 2025 Strategic Plan