Inclusive Excellence (IE) is a strategic approach and core value that comprehensively links diversity and quality and prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion work at the core of the institution’s functioning. Sustained commitment to IE leads to educational benefits and stronger outcomes for students and strengthens the broader campus community. Defining IE at Allegheny is a critical step in actualizing the College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In Spring 2020, the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the Council on Diversity and Equity (CoDE) circulated a survey to gather input from the Allegheny community to determine a tailored definition of IE at Allegheny based on four primary elements of IE identified by AAC&U (Making Excellence Inclusive) . CoDE then used this information to draft four “Tenets of Inclusive Excellence” for Allegheny College:
- Intentionally focusing on intellectual, social, and civic development, by offering a curriculum and co-curricular opportunities that are infused with a range of disciplines and perspectives. We work to implement an educational experience that contributes to critical thinking, knowledge, and holistic development for all community members.
- Fostering a rich environment of learning, belonging, and self-exploration where all community members feel a sense of belonging and the opportunity to thrive. We do this through a purposeful development and utilization of organizational resources.
- Recognizing and valuing the diverse cultural and intellectual experiences and perspectives that each individual brings to the Allegheny community to enhance the overall educational enterprise and work environment.
- Creating and maintaining a welcoming, diverse community that values and celebrates intentional engagement across difference in all sectors and at all levels of the institution.
Key Definitions
- Diversity: Range of similarities and differences individuals bring to a particular setting or community.
- Equity: The pursuit of fairness; giving all individuals access to the tools and resources they need in order to thrive.
- Inclusion:The process of creating a culture and environment that recognizes, appreciates, and effectively utilizes the talents, skills, and perspectives of every individual.
- Equity Minded-ness: Commitment to action to address college wide inequities; Assuming responsibility for the elimination of inequity; Awareness about equity gaps within different areas of an institution.
- Inclusive Excellence: The presence of diversity, equity, inclusion, and equity-mindedness across every area of the College. It is core to an institution’s function and is part of administrative structures and practices; recruitment, admissions, and hiring; and present within the curriculum and co-curriculum of an institution.