Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at DU

Overcoming barriers in diversity, equity and inclusion is not easy work. It is also not quickly achieved. Our progress at DU has not been stymied by a lack of passion, interest or commitment. Individuals and groups across campus have made real change, but this change has occurred largely in pockets and has failed, in some cases, to reach the people who need it most.  The reasons for this are complex, and we are now pivoting to better identify leadership, take action, and increase accountability and consistency.

Featured Winter Quarter Events

MLK event banner

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Join us for DU's Inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrating the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America.

We are honored to have Representative Leslie Herod join us as a speaker for this event. Alongside conversation, there will also be a myriad of performances; including DU's Multicultural Choir. 

In collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, this event will promote a community service component that will include a book donation drive. The books will be distributed to unhoused children in the local Denver community.

Sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission 

January 17th, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Newman Center Main Stage

In-person attendee: Register Here

Virtual attendee: Register Here

Visit the Black Community Initiatives Website

Frank Big Bear Colorful Art

Denver Art Museum: Dressing for the Creator

The Indigenous Arts of North America Department invites you to attend the biannual symposium. Hear artists and scholars discuss the various ways Native people signal their indigeneity to a broader public.

Speakers will explore the importance of dress and adornment for Indigenous people and discuss how they approach artistic markets while remaining grounded in and respectful of their community histories and established visual canons.

January 25, 2022, 9:30 am–4:30 pm

Sturm Pavilion

Buy online ticket here

Visit DU's Native American and Indigenous Initiatives Website

Her DU past speaker

Her DU

Hosted by the DU Women's Coalition, HerDU is the University's primary conference and event centered around women's issues. Featuring acclaimed guest speakers from the worlds of academia, entrepreneurship, wellness, art, and beyond, HerDU strives to bridge the gaps between women across fields and industries while fostering a collaborative atmosphere for the sharing of ideas, resources, and support. Workshops and panel discussions facilitate meaningful conversation between groups and perspectives, providing opportunities for networking and coalition-building among women and their organizations. It's also an opportunity to recognize women for their accomplishments in the DU community and beyond.

March 4, 2022

Hybrid

Visit the HerDU Website

Profiles of Excellence Graduates

Invest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We have gathered all of the gift funds that support our DU community members in the effort to create a more inclusive DU.

Give Now

Chancellor’s Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The University of Denver is its people—all its people. We aim to attract bright and motivated students and give them every opportunity to thrive. We rely on engaged faculty who are passionate about their teaching and their scholarship. We depend on talented staff to support the operation and mission of the University.

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In an organization so reliant on its people, creating a diverse and inclusive community isn’t only the right thing to do; it’s critical to the successful implementation of our mission. The greatest challenges facing us in the century ahead are incredibly complex and will require diverse teams who can work collaboratively and innovatively. Actively seeking a student body and a faculty and staff who represent the diversity of our region, nation and world is necessary to prepare our students for an increasingly globalized and connected world. That diversity extends to identities beyond just race and gender—including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, religion, political and ideological viewpoints, and more.

In 2006, the chancellor and provost asked the University’s senior leadership to embrace Inclusive Excellence and to begin working in conjunction with our Cultural Center, campus leaders, the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and every member of the University community to realize this vision at DU. We have made significant progress in recent years, thanks to the critical efforts of faculty, staff, students and administrators. We have better integrated a culture of Inclusive Excellence in our processes, systems, mission statements and other structures. But we have more work to do—work that is the responsibility of everyone in our community and that the University’s leadership recognizes remains critically important to everything we do.

As the University of Denver prepares to meet the exciting challenges of the growing, thriving and remarkably diverse city in which we live as well as the needs of a changing nation, we will continue to be guided by the principles of Inclusive Excellence. We must continue to strive for an inclusive community that embraces all its members, provides equality of opportunity for all and actively encourages all voices to be heard. Everyone must be welcomed and treated with dignity and respect, and every person’s story must be honored. An inclusive community celebrates different cultures, engages in clamorous debates and cultivates the individual and collective flourishing of all of us.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Units

Division of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is committed to providing leadership, guidance, and resources in support of the University of Denver’s commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution.

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Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence

Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence (SAIE) is committed to providing students with the support and skills needed to become empowered citizens that positively impact the communities they are a part of, now, and in the future.

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Human Resources and Inclusive Communities

Human Resources and Inclusive Communities (HRIC) is committed to upholding DU's reputation as a global leader in academics and research that serves the public good. As a strategic partner of the University community, we provide leading HR services and programs to attract, inspire and sustain excellence in our community. 

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Stories of Diversity @ DU