Social Work Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity is a commitment to acknowledging and embracing the myriad characteristics that make each of us exceptional, within an atmosphere that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement.

Committee for Social Justice Directory

Social Work
About Our School
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Committee for Social Justice

Understand, Celebrate, and Embrace Diversity

The Committee for Social Justice (formerly the Diversity and Human Rights Committee) is a group of faculty and student leaders who recognize the need to welcome and honor people of all races, genders, creeds, cultures, and sexual orientations, while valuing intellectual curiosity and integrity. Our mission is to promote social justice and social change by engaging scholarship, teaching, and community service that seek to understand, celebrate, and embrace diversity.

To learn more, please contact Marie Villescas Zamzow.

Dialogues Around Difference

During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Committee for Social Justice hosts the Dialogues Around Difference presentations for the CSU campus community, such as the examples below.

"The Paradox of the Black Athlete"

"Ethics of Supply Chains in the Global Economy"

"Unveiling Ethnic Identities in the Media"

"The Arab and Muslim Experience in America"

School of Social Work Events

Elevate Mentoring Program

“Elevate” is a new grant-funded mentoring program for students of color, first generation students, and Pell Grant eligible students. Our goal is to promote retention and graduation for social work students at higher risk of not completing their education. During the 2019-20 academic year, five student mentors and 19 students participated. Three faculty members facilitate the program. To learn more, please contact Associate Professor Anne Williford.

More Information

College and University Diversity Resources

CSU Student Diversity Programs and Services

News & Media Links

Neurodecolonization and the Medicine Wheel: An Indigenous Approach to Healing the Traumas of Colonialism

On March 10, 2021, University of Manitoba dean and professor of Social Work Dr. Michael Yellow Bird was the featured speaker of the biennial Brad Sheafor Lecture Series in Social Work. In the online presentation, Yellow Bird explored mindfulness as a global tool of decolonization in “Neurodecolonization and the Medicine Wheel: An Indigenous Approach to Healing the Traumas of Colonialism.” Link to the presentation recording available here.

Shining a light on Latinx healthcare disparities in the U.S.

In Jan 2020, faculty and students, as well as practitioners, leaders, and other members of the Colorado regional community who care about the health and mental health of Latinx populations gathered on the Colorado State University campus for a conference focused on the great differences in healthcare for Hispanic and Latino/a/x individuals living in the U.S. today. Links to various event presentation videos available here.

members of the administration team for the latinx health disparities event in a group photo

Dis-Equity in the U.S. today: Going beyond our professional and personal comfort zones

In spring 2019, the School of Social Work hosted the biennial Brad Sheafor Lecture in Social Work with a featured presentation by nationally recognized leader, educator, and scholar Dr. Darrell P. Wheeler. Dr. Wheeler’s presentation highlighted professional social work and trans-disciplinary contributions, challenges, and future directions that support and at times impede progress toward actualization of an “American Dream.” Links to main event presentation recording and bonus content for students available here.