Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Pictured Above: The Black Student Union led a march for social justice in February 2020.

What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

Diversity is a human asset. It signifies that any significant difference that distinguishes one individual from another is considered a human quality to be treasured and included in the social dynamic, instead of being considered a hurdle for human interaction and comprehension. Embracing diversity often means a shift in values and mindsets.

Being diverse is not enough, if social relations are not fair and only a few individuals can be successful. The desire of and the effective increasing of diversity is the first step in the quest for social justice. Increasing diversity of underrepresented or marginalized groups in an ethical imperative. Once diversity has been increased, inclusion and integration come to play. Inclusion means to provide individuals with a sense of belonging that might surpass the individuals’ own group identities. A culture of inclusion strengthens the individual’s attachment to a larger community. Once included, individuals need to feel that their chances to succeed are as equal as anybody else’s. A culture of equity guarantees that people would be able to access the necessary resources to their own success and to the success of their multiple communities.

Diversity Statement

We, the students, faculty, staff, and Board of Visitors and Governors of Washington College, welcome, invite, value, and support a diverse community of individuals. We strive to create a place where all can study, work, and thrive. We believe in the worth, dignity, and safety of human beings of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, gender identities and/or expressions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, cultural backgrounds, cognitive or physical abilities, emotional and behavioral characteristics, ages, and educational levels. In the pursuit of academic excellence, we endeavor to be a community made up of people from a variety of backgrounds with differing perspectives, life experiences, religious, philosophical, and political beliefs, lifestyles, and ideologies.

We pledge to create a respectful and supportive environment for collaboration, empathy, and the building of meaningful relationships among members of Washington College. We commit to fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and engaged community that embraces all the complexity that each person brings to campus.

• We will empower all members to contribute ideas, ask questions, contest assumptions, and revise points of view through civil debate.
• We will confront and challenge attempts to dehumanize others through prejudiced attitudes, behaviors, and practices that exclude, demean, or marginalize any individual or group.
• We will encourage alumni, parents, visitors, guests, and the wider community to respect and embrace the values and behaviors that we embody.

Our promise is to cultivate a continuous desire and ability to understand and meaningfully engage with different perspectives and experiences, including those of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. We seek to contribute to the full intellectual and emotional development of every person and to the enrichment of our local, regional, national, and global communities.