Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Founded by Gertrude Johnson and Mary T. Wales before women had secured the right to vote, ÍøÆØÍø is firmly committed to nurturing and further strengthening an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces the broad range of diversity of all members of our community, including their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, physical ability or how and if they worship. Our community accepts and celebrates diversity in every form — including diversity in thought.
ÍøÆØÍø commits to anti-racist work and offers academic and co-curricular opportunities that are welcoming, educational and open spaces of inclusivity and exploration for all students, faculty, staff and alumni. We strive to inspire a standard of excellence for all members of the Wildcat family and seek to foster an equitable environment where differences are valued and integrated in all aspects of university life.
Facts & Stats
JWU’s university and campus JWU Fact Sheets provide a quick summary of ÍøÆØÍø’s mission, strategic plan and key facts and numbers relevant to the entire JWU community.
Club & Organizations Spotlight
JWU has more than 100 clubs and organizations that are open to all students. All groups have a commitment to inclusive excellence, and many play an active role in promoting social justice by creating space for students to connect with one another and engage with issues that are impacting today’s world. This space will regularly spotlight some of these clubs and organizations.
Providence: Latine Student Alliance
The Latine Student Alliance brings together Hispanic and Latine students on campus, fostering a sense of unity, inclusivity, and equity. The Latine Student Alliance strives to create a supportive space where students can celebrate their heritage, share experiences, and build a strong community. Through cultural events, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, the group aims to empower its members and promote understanding among all students at ÍøÆØÍø.
Charlotte: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
During the spring semester, JWU Charlotte chartered their third historically Black (National Pan-Hellenic Council) sorority – Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Sigma Gamma Rho is joined by Alpha Kappa Alpha and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities Inc. on campus; Along with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., JWU Charlotte celebrates culturally-relevant brotherhood and sisterhood.
JWU Charlotte has designated the third week of classes as Multicultural Week, highlighting cultural and diversity-focused clubs and organizations and uplifting campus diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging programs.
2023-24 Providence Campus Cultural Program of the Year: Diwali
The Cultural Program of the Year student leadership award has been established to recognize a program that promotes culture, diversity, inclusion, and global awareness at ÍøÆØÍø Providence. The award is given to an innovative organization developed, implemented and delivered a successful program.
’s Diwali celebration was spectacular in every way. More than 100 attendees enjoyed traditional food, cultural craft activities, music, dancing and more. This group represents and promotes their Indian heritage wonderfully, while welcoming and supporting individuals from all cultures. In 2024, Little India was recognized by the Rhode Island State House during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month for promoting a greater understanding of AAPI culture.
Previous Cultural Program Winners:
- 2023: Lunar New Year; Cooking Asia
- 2022: Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
- 2021: Black History 101: Mobile Museum; Black Student Alliance, University Involvement Board, National Panhellenic Council
- 2020: MLK Teach-In; Alpha Phi Alpha
- 2019: Dashain; Namaste Nepal
- 2017: Raices Week; Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
- 2016: World Carnival; Cultural Connections Club
- 2015: Diversity at the University: “Dear White People” screening and discussion; University Involvement Board
- 2014: Kwanzaa; Black Student Alliance and Groove Phi Groove
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Faculty Fellow
Created in 2021, this fellowship program is designed to support ÍøÆØÍø academic colleges and administrative departments in enhancing universitywide knowledge and awareness of issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
The Faculty Fellow supports the JWU community through sharing resources, best practices, and development opportunities, working directly with the Bridge for Diversity, Equity & Social Justice and the Center for Teaching & Learning.
JWU Providence Arts & Sciences Professor Christopher Westgate is serving in this role during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.
Through this fellowship, Westgate will connect the work of the Center for Teaching & Learning Steering Committee and the university Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Action Group (IDEA Group). He will also strengthen faculty recruitment and hiring practices, contribute to curriculum development, and provide faculty support around DEIB issues.
Previous Faculty Fellows include:
- Thomas Gaines, Providence Campus Arts & Sciences associate professor
- Marco McWilliams, a Providence community leader
- Jessica Sherwood, Providence Campus Arts & Sciences associate professor
Programs & Resources
ÍøÆØÍø is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to give students with learning disabilities, physical challenges, and chronic medical conditions the opportunity to succeed in their academic pursuits. While maintaining the highest academic integrity, the university strives to balance academic rigor with support services that help disabled students succeed at ÍøÆØÍø.
Wildcat Learning Effectiveness in Action Program (LEAP)
ÍøÆØÍø is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support students with learning disabilities, physical challenges, and chronic medical conditions the opportunity to succeed in their academic pursuits. While maintaining the highest scholarly integrity, the university strives to balance academic rigor with support services that help disabled students succeed at ÍøÆØÍø.
JWU’s Wildcat LEAP (Learning Effectiveness in Action Program) is a fee-based learning program designed to support students with executive function challenges. This program includes weekly individualized advising, the opportunity to move on campus one week before the start of the academic year, and a 3-credit course available only to LEAP participants.
The Bridge provides educational programs, workshops and resources to promote inclusive excellence, human rights and social justice. Located in the Xavier Academic Complex on the Downcity Campus, it serves as a space where all members of the JWU community can come together to engage in a variety of issues.
All new JWU students and employees receive information and training related to diversity, equity and belonging, as well as university systems and resources supporting an inclusive community both virtually and in-person.
Employees receive regular ongoing training via Equity & Compliance Services and the Center for Teaching & Learning and students have opportunities for ongoing education via multiple programs and departments.
Equity & Compliance Services is dedicated to fostering ethical practices. By promoting a culture of equity and compliance, the department strives to advance JWU’s commitment to creating an environment that values integrity as evidenced by shared respect and responsibility.
The Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Action Group (IDEA Group) was formed in August 2020. Individuals from across ÍøÆØÍø — staff, faculty, administration and alumni — volunteer their time and expertise to serve as an advisory board on issues relating to inclusion and belonging at ÍøÆØÍø.
The formation of the IDEA Group evolved out of the recognized need and responsibility to evaluate and strengthen equity and inclusion efforts to support all members of the JWU community, especially those from historically underrepresented groups.
JWU Global’s International Student Services Office (ISSO) offers comprehensive immigration support services while fostering an inclusive culture that supports all international students.
provides an exciting way to complete academic credits toward your JWU degree while seeing the world.
At the Providence Campus, the English Language & Culture Academy offers academic acceptance and admission to JWU’s non-degree English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
JWU Library is committed to anti-racism, addressing systems of oppression in higher education, creating an inclusive learning environment, and centering voices and stories that have been historically silenced. Reading and listening to marginalized voices is crucial in building an inclusive society. Take a step to dismantle oppression by joining JWU Library in centering the voices and scholarship representing a diversity of perspectives including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
The following guides are living documents that provide resources to support building an inclusive classroom and will be updated regularly. Explore resources via the or .
There are dozens of active clubs and organizations on the Providence and Charlotte campuses open to students.
Adventure awaits! Studying abroad is an exciting way to complete academic credits toward your JWU degree while seeing the world. By challenging yourself to live and work with people from other cultures, you gain an invaluable global perspective. Each destination has something unique and exciting to offer. These experiences help you distinguish yourself from other graduates and even discover new career paths.
Working at ÍøÆØÍø
At ÍøÆØÍø, each one of us has come to JWU to excel, to contribute and to follow our passions and meet our goals. We cultivate and take pride in our diverse and inclusive community, which inspires excellence, innovation and an enhanced student experience.
ÍøÆØÍø is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.