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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Embracing Diversity

Colorado State University is committed to embracing diversity through the inclusion of individuals reflective of characteristics such as: age, culture, different ideas and perspectives, disability, ethnicity, first-generation status, familial status, gender identity and expression, geographic background, marital status, national origin, race, religious and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, medical diagnosis, documentation status, and veteran status with special attention given to populations historically underrepresented or excluded from participation in higher education.

We aim to increase numbers of diverse faculty, staff, and students and create a welcoming and inclusive climate. Offering a multicultural curriculum with cultural competence training will result in alumni qualified to succeed in our diverse world. We support expanded research opportunities in issues of inequity and social justice to further our intention of improving lives for all people, including the underserved and underrepresented.

Group of three students sitting in a classroom

College Diversity Resources

If your parents never earned a bachelor’s degree, you are a first-gen student. We couldn’t be more proud of your achievements. Find resources on this page to help you on your academic journey.

The Assistive Technology Resource Center in the Department of Occupational Therapy offers resources for students and employees to help enhance learning for people with disabilities.

The Accessibility by Design website offers tools for faculty and staff for creating electronically accessible materials to support diversity and inclusion for all types of learners.

Hear From Our Faculty and Staff

Listen to our Health and Human Science Matters podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to hear from our faculty and staff who exemplify our College’s dedication to inclusive excellence through their research.

Dr. Kari Dockendorff, an assistant professor at Colorado State University’s School of Education, discusses their research critically examining the trans* student experience by developing survey tools that measure trans* inclusive behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge of staff in their interactions with trans* students.

Kari Dockendorff Episode Transcript

Dr. Michelle Foster, a professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice within CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences discusses her higher education journey, her research studying obesity and energy, and her role advocating for inclusion.

Michelle Foster Episode Transcript

Dr. Mohammed Mehany, associate professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management, discusses his fascinating, cross-cultural journey from Cairo, Egypt to Colorado and his research studying more sustainable infrastructure and mental health in the construction industry.

Mohammed Mehany Episode Transcript

Dr. Susana Muñoz, associate professor and coordinator of the Higher Education Leadership doctoral specialization in Colorado State University’s School of Education, discusses her journey through academia and her research on college persistence, access, equity, and identity development for undocumented Latinx college students.

Susana Muñoz Episode Transcript

Social Justice Speaker Series

The Social Justice Speaker Series is envisioned to stimulate thought and action as we work toward promoting equity and inclusive excellence.  Over the years to come, we will engage with leaders addressing important aspects of diversity and inclusion. Most recently, we conducted a campus climate survey in Spring 2024.

College Diversity Plans

We have identified three goals in the College’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Blueprint plan in conjunction with the DEIJ Committee that align with the College and CSU’s strategic plan:

  1. Establish and maintain a centralized approach to transparency and accountability within Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice efforts
  2. Engage all College of Health and Human Sciences faculty and staff in intentional efforts to advance recruitment, retention, and promotion of marginalized and excluded faculty and staff across the college
  3. Promote cultural responsiveness throughout the student experience (including in the classroom, research, and mentoring)

In addition, Goal 3 of our Strategic Plan, INCLUDE, outlines our objectives. See the College’s Strategic Plan.

Student smiling in a classroom

Valuing Diversity Department and School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

Visit our unit pages to learn how each department is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at CSU.

students talking

University Diversity Resources

Visit CSU’s Office for Inclusive Excellence to access employee DEI training opportunities, the employee climate survey, the Symposium for Inclusive Excellence recordings, and more!

The Principles of Community – Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice – support CSU’s mission and provide a collaborative framework for engaging with one another.

CSU is home to several diversity offices that promote inclusive excellence and support students on campus.

CSU’s land acknowledgement recognizes the long history of Native peoples who originally lived on the land where the University is now located.

Events and Celebrations

The CSU and the Fort Collins communities mark DEIJ months and holidays with celebrations and educational programs open to all.

Multicultural Undergraduate Research Art and Leadership Symposium (MURALS) is an annual undergraduate research and artistry symposium that provides a platform for undergraduate students with marginalized identities to showcase their scholarly work.

Each year in January, the CSU and Fort Collins communities come together to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a march and program.

Also called Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates the liberation of 250,000 enslaved black folks by federal troops in 1865. Fort Collins and CSU celebrate Juneteenth each summer with a weekend of activities.

The campus Cultural Centers sponsor events, speakers, and celebrations during diversity months such Black History Month, Native American Heritage Month, Pride Month, and Latinx/é Heritage Month. See the Cultural Centers’ websites for more information.

Diversity News