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 Spring Quarter Events

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New Beginnings Pow Wow

The University of Denver’s Native Student Alliance will be hosting the 12th Annual New Beginnings Pow Wow this year, May 14h, 2022! As you may or may not be aware, in Native American communities, a Pow Wow is a social gathering, a time when dance and music honor the resilient cultural history of traditional Native American people and culture. The Pow Wow at DU has always been about education by allowing the student body to participate and learn about Native American traditions and people.

Most importantly, this Pow Wow was founded to celebrate and start all our “New Beginnings”: starting college, a new job, graduating from high school, middle school college, etc.  Even new friendships or a new stage of fatherhood, motherhood, engagement, marriage, whatever your New Beginning story is. This Pow Wow has emphasized the importance of those New Beginnings; wherever we are in our lives, we are here to be grateful and to celebrate the coming of life. Please join us in celebrating and healing with our community. More information about the day of the pow wow will be provided soon.

May 14th, 2022 (time TBD)

Hamilton Gym 

In-person attendee: coming soon...

Virtual attendee: coming soon...

Visit the Indigenous Initiatives Webpage 

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Liminal Legality: Immigration Issues in the Rocky Mountain West

Please join the Center for Immigration Policy and Research (CIPR) for their inaugural symposium, “Liminal Legality: Immigration Issues in the Rocky Mountain West,” April 7-8, 2022. This two-day, free event will bring together DU faculty, students, and alumni, community partners, immigration advocates, and colleagues from area colleges and universities to examine migration issues in the region.

The symposium begins on Thursday, April 7 with a student showcase and reception. On Friday, April 8, the symposium will feature four panels addressing the following: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), immigrant worker justice, the impact of COVID and other health concerns in migrant communities, and developments in immigration law and policy at the federal and state levels. CIPR is especially delighted to welcome UCLA sociologist and President of the American Sociological Association, Cecilia Menjivar, as the keynote speaker whose foundational work on liminal legality and legal violence informs our symposium theme.


April 7th, 2022 4:00 - 6:00pm: Community Commons 1600 *in person attendance, only 

April 8th, 2022 8:00am - 5:00pm: Anderson Academic Commons 290

Register here

Read the Center for Immigration Policy and Research (CIPR) Article

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Provost Conference Series

Instead of an all-day summit, the Provost Conference Series is an extended opportunity to engage with fellow faculty and national leaders to take the next steps in “Advancing Equity in Faculty Workload and Rewards.” These keynotes and workshops offer points of engagement for faculty ready to move into action, as well as deepen the conversation, around building a post-pandemic university that is equitable and just. These events also serve as touchpoints for the R1 Our Way Teaching & Faculty Satisfaction Initiatives, both for departments who have created department action teams for Teaching Excellence (DATs) and Workload Equity (DEAPs), and for the campus as a whole.

After a kickoff in early April to launch the DATs, who will work to incorporate three voices (self, student, and peers) into teaching evaluation in their area, two back-to-back events center on the importance of intentionally engaging in and recognizing/rewarding DEI work. Late April brings a deep dive into R1: how we got here, and how faculty can be part of what’s next. In May, the focus is on workload equity, and what tools departments can use to identify and address bias in how it is distributed and taken up, including (but not limited to) dashboards. The series also features a session on supporting Teaching and Professional Faculty, as well as capturing DEI work in tenure or promotion materials.

Featured Speakers include: Noah Finkelstein and Sarah Andrews, CU Boulder; Kim Case, Virginia Commonwealth University; Corinne S. Lengsfeld, University of Denver; Laura Sponsler, University of Denver; KerryAnn O’Meara (University of Maryland-College Park); Joya Misra (University of Massachusetts-Amherst).

For more information and to register for the first few events, visit here

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.

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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