Office for Inclusive Excellence

SHU’s Office for Inclusive Excellence leads and collaborates in strategy development and implementation of initiatives that foster diversity, equity and belonging. The work of OIE is aimed to create learning and working environments wherein everyone - students, faculty and staff - has the chance to thrive and succeed.

Inclusive Excellence is the recognition that our institution’s success is dependent on how well we value, engage, and include the rich diversity of students, staff, faculty, administrators, alums, and surrounding community. It is a mastery of inclusion that fosters a consistent sense of belonging. Inclusive Excellence is aspirational and is the pillar that guides the mission, vision, and function of this unit.

We Are Stronger Together

Sacred Heart University is founded on a mission to bring social justice to a broken world, and since our inception, we have been – continually and increasingly – committed to the realization of that goal – both within ourselves and the greater community.

As we reflect on great movements toward creating more equitable and inclusive societies, we see that strength was a result of a shared vision generated through collaborative effort. In essence, the innate understanding that “We are stronger together!” At SHU we address systemic inequities through self-interrogation, by championing unity and respecting the inherent worth and dignity of each other. We live the adage that the work of inclusion is the work of everyone.

Stronger Together is a message of action and hope for the future that will be evidenced by the efforts of many people's’ hearts and minds in support of diversity, equity and inclusion at Sacred Heart University.

Inclusive Excellence Mission & Vision

Mission

The SHU Office for Inclusive Excellence (OIE) is committed to anti-racism, anti-oppression and embracing and celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) as necessary components for institutional excellence. OIE functions to foster and sustain a SHU community that is diverse, equitable and inclusive for all. Our DEIB efforts seek to promote learning, living and work experiences that are free of discrimination and harassment and to create a sense of belonging that is conducive to holistic success for all.

Vision

Our vision is to establish SHU as a model for inclusive excellence in higher education.

Functional Goals

• Enhance diversity of SHU faculty, staff and students through innovative and evidence-based methods of recruitment, career development, retention and advancement
• Develop and employ strategies to increase representation and enhance inclusion, belonging and support for faculty, staff and students from underrepresented identity groups
• Provide education, training & development, celebration and community-building opportunities aimed at increasing diversity competencies of all SHU faculty, staff, students and partners
• Provide platforms for all SHU faculty, staff and students to share their experiences and engage in DEIB efforts, including supporting the Inclusive Excellence Advisory Council (IEAC) as a representative delegation of all SHU constituents
• Provide consultation and support to SHU faculty, staff and students on DEIB matters
• Lead in the development and accountable implementation of the Pioneer Plan for Inclusive Excellence (DEIB strategic plan)
• Provide access to reporting and support for issues related to bias and all forms of discrimination and harassment
• Celebrate the inclusive excellence of SHU faculty, staff, students and alums
• Engage SHU alums and our surrounding communities in SHU DEIB efforts
• Collaborate across SHU on DEIB initiatives