Goals

The Graduate College goals are dynamic and subject to regular review and revision to ensure continued progress toward fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive graduate education environment.

• Increase access and education attainment.
  • Expand outreach and support efforts to students from historically underserved communities in higher education to increase diversity in graduate student enrollment.
  • Enhance partnerships with other minority-serving institutions to develop doctoral pathway programs and facilitate transitions into graduate programs.
  • Provide professional development opportunities for success in a wide variety of post-graduate career pathways, including academia.
• Promote retention, progression, persistence, and completion.
  • Provide comprehensive support services tailored to the needs of diverse graduate students, including mentoring, academic support, and wraparound services for students made vulnerable to financial, food, and/or housing insecurity.
  • Establish programs that address the unique challenges faced by graduate student populations from all backgrounds, including those who are first generation college, justice impacted, and/or from communities of color typically underserved in higher education.
  • Monitor retention and graduation rates and implement interventions to address any disparities.
• Foster inclusive environments for learning, research, and creative activity.
  • Work with academic colleges to train faculty and staff in inclusive teaching and mentoring practices and cultural competency to foster welcoming and supportive scholarly environments.
  • Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-cultural dialogue among students and faculty.
• Cultivate a culture of equity and inclusion.
  • Establish and adhere to policies and procedures that promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of operations.
  • Foster a sense of belonging and community among student, faculty, and staff populations through campus-wide initiatives and events. ○ Conduct regular climate assessments to identify areas for improvement and track progress towards diversity and inclusion goals.
• Evaluate and report progress.
  • Develop metrics and benchmarks to assess progress towards unit goals.
  • Regularly collect and analyze data on student demographics, campus climate, and retention, progression, and completion metrics to inform decision-making and accountability.
  • Communicate transparently with stakeholders, within and outside of the university, about the Graduate College’s initiatives, achievements, and areas for improvement.