Submissions Window has Closed

 should address one or more of the following strands and demonstrate ways in which they impact teaching and learning.

Strands

Inclusion- Ensuring that all students feel included in the higher education setting. The active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity (individual differences)—in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical).

Diversity- Acknowledging group/social differences (e.g., race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, and ability as well as cultural, political, religious, or other affiliations) and individual differences (e.g., personality, prior knowledge, and life experiences).

Equity- Creating spaces for reflection and practices that are capable of closing the opportunity gaps for students from marginalized populations. While equality is framed with sameness as the end goal, equity may require differentiating instruction and support. Equity may be defined as a state in which all people, regardless of their socioeconomic, racial, or ethnic grouping, have fair and just access to the resources and opportunities necessary to thrive.

Accessibility- Ensuring that students have equal and equitable opportunities to take full advantage of their education. Factors such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, perceived intellectual ability, past academic performance, special-education status, English-language ability, and family income or educational-attainment levels—in addition to factors such as relative community affluence, geographical location, or school facilities—may contribute to certain students having less “access” to educational opportunities than other students.

Student Success- Providing all students more purposeful pathways through college, no matter the student's chosen program or major, no matter the degree—all leading to essential learning outcomes. Efforts toward student success are rooted in long-standing commitments to diversity, equity, and quality of learning.