Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
About Us
Endicott College is committed to fostering an environment that honors all individuals. We celebrate diversity and hold it as our responsibility to move our community toward becoming a stronger reflection of our interconnected world. We welcome and respect those of all identities based in race, ethnicity, national origin, sexuality, gender identity, learning style, (dis)ability status, religious and spiritual tradition, socioeconomic standing, age, and worldview. The College’s inclusive community is an educational space that empowers the dignity and worth of each individual. We are committed to creating policies, programs, and opportunities that will ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion thrive and are a part of all that we do. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty.Value Statements
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) at Endicott College represents the following values:
- Fostering an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment for all.
- Fair treatment, access, and opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff.
- Building community, encouraging collaboration and innovation, and providing high-level educational experiences.
- Respecting diverse perspectives and fostering opportunities for broader dialogues and experiences.
- Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and change as we further develop our DEIB work.
- Continued support, development, and launching of programming that embodies our commitment to DEIB.
What does Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) represent?
We use the acronym DEIB to describe our efforts to build a community and practice that is inclusive, supportive, equitable, and welcoming. The following terms are used to capture our work:
Diversity: Refers to all aspects of human difference, and each person is a unique combination of those aspects. A diverse environment is one where a variety of individuals, groups, and/or communities with different characteristics exist together.
Equity: Promoting fair treatment, access, and opportunity for advancement while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of all groups.
Inclusion: The act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate and be their full authentic selves.
Belonging: The sense of acceptance as a part or member of a group; an important human need that cultivates value and positive outcomes.
In September 2019, President Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D. shared in his inaugural message to the community that diversity initiatives would be a major priority for the college. With the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at the helm, the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging leads this work while collaborating with departments, divisions, and individuals throughout the community.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging aims to work on equity issues throughout the student experience, focusing on assessing areas of need, analyzing data, and prioritizing actions to be carried out across departments.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Task Force
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Task Force, consisting of faculty and staff members from across divisions and departments, was formed to review, assess, and recommend strategies to improve efforts in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at Endicott College. Through strategic planning and programmatic development, the task force will empower and support students, faculty, and staff to build a diverse, inclusive, and academically enriching campus community.
- Co-Chairs: Brandi Johnson, Gail Cantor
- 2022–23 Appointed Members: Katharine Clarke, Mariellen Fidrych, Christy Galatis, Allison Heenan, Matt Heiser, Ben Horgan, Molly Hyman, Warren Jaferian, Darryl Key, Jodi Kenyon, David Le, Alli McPhedran, Dale McLennan, Ashlie Perry, Kerry Ramsdell, Jen Richard, Katie Stango, Laurie Souza, Kathryn Webster, Maria Wong, Jessica Ventura, Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler
- Student Representatives: Caitlyn Sievers (SGA President) & Teebh AlFreihy (SURJ President)
- Reports To: Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Brandi Johnson
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Subcommittees
DEIB Curriculum Committee
DEIB Curriculum Committee Members: Katie Kilty, Sara Allen, Jessica Ochs, Traci Freeman, Semahagn Abebe, Joy Erickson, Alana Tiemessen, Richard Nastasi, Lara Salahi, Ana Emlinger.
-
Athletics DEI Committee
The Endicott College Athletics Department is committed to working collaboratively across campus to ensure an inclusive culture that fosters respect, provides equitable participation opportunities, and celebrates diversity within our student-athletics, coaches, and administrators. Endicott Athletics is committed to providing ongoing forums and programming for candid and open dialogue, which will promote potentially challenging conversations surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Endicott Athletics Department will work with student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff, and the greater Endicott community to model acceptance, condemn injustice, and create change in a safe non-violent manner.
Since 2020, administrators, coaches, and staff have collaborated with the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging to engage the community in learning opportunities centered around social justice. Staff and coaches have participated in several trainings including The University of Michigan Intergroup Dialogue Institute and Return on Inclusion Curriculum. Other areas of focus have included mental health awareness, gender-based violence prevention, and sexual assault and dating violence.
The athletics department will continue to encourage conversations that address current events, social justice, and the evolving needs of our student athletes.
-
Center for Performing Arts DEI CommitteeThe School of Visual & Performing Arts pledges to engage, learn, and provide ways to create an equitable and diverse learning environment. Beyond a zero tolerance for any forms of bigotry, hate, microaggressions, or overt aggressions, we are examining the ways in which we enable racism and create a culture that perpetuates a segregated world. We are committing time and resources to enrich our culture and curricula through dialogue, inclusion, action, and change for all ethnicities, races, religions, creeds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We will serve as a liaison to bring concerns, questions, and ideas to the DEI Task Force at Endicott College.
-
Dine and DialogueDine and Dialogue is an initiative that is designed to bring students, faculty, and staff together to have open, honest, and productive dialogues regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and especially, belonging at Endicott College. While sharing a meal, we have the freedom to explore new ideas, raise issues, and expand our awareness of our own biases and concerns. The result is a grassroots program on our campus that uplifts compassion and belonging.
-
Nursing Department DEI CommitteeThe School of Nursing is dedicated to the tenets of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging as they relate to our practices. It has organized its own committee which consists of five faculty members (Bethany Nasser, Marianne Barker, Amy Smith, Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler, and Kristin Waldeck) to review and discuss issues relating to DEIB on campus and in the department. This committee meets on the third Thursday of each month to ensure continuity and consistency.
-
Office of Residence Life DEI CommitteeThe Office of Residence Life DEIB Committee strives to assess current structures and student knowledge around DEIB topics and to educate through a mix of different programming, initiatives, and training. We are committed to creating an environment where every person feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive academically, personally, and socially. We aim to acknowledge, celebrate, and respect each individual’s unique identity to generate equitable outcomes.
Employee Resource Groups
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee-led groups formed around common interests, common bonds, or similar backgrounds. ERG members create a positive work environment at Endicott by actively contributing to the College’s mission, values, and efforts specific to inclusion and belonging, such as recruitment and retention. Endicott ERGs are open to all faculty, staff, and administrators.-
BIPOC Employee Resource Group
Group Leads:
The mission of the BIPOC ERG is to foster networking, professional development, mentoring, and leadership opportunities with a focus on the recruitment, retention, learning, and advancement of BIPOC faculty and staff at Endicott. The BIPOC ERG aims to increase awareness of cultural differences within our own community. The BIPOC ERG seeks to create a welcoming environment to help employees feel supported, and have a "home base" to help foster trust and inclusiveness on the Endicott campus.
-
Disability, Access, & Neurodiverse Employee Resource Group
Group Leads:
The mission of the Disability, Access, & Neurodiverse ERG is to advance the awareness and inclusion for people with disabilities on campus and recognize the wonderful and complex differences in the way we think, feel, socialize, and learn. This ERG will promote a supportive network and serve to help individuals come together in an environment that is inclusive and works to be accessible for all. This group will encourage all individuals to be open about their strengths and challenges. The group also focuses on ways to support the recruitment, retention, professional development, and career advancement of employees with disabilities and neurodiverse employees.
-
LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group
Group Leads:
- Bryan Karsis
The mission of the LGBTQIA+ ERG is to promote an inclusive community for lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, and queer employees. The LGBTQIA+ ERG will support Endicott's efforts to diversify staff and faculty, and will work to recruit and retain LGBTQIA+ employees. The LGBTQIA+ ERG will serve as a visible, accessible resource for LGBTQIA+ employees and their allies and will provide LGBTQIA+ focused networking, educational, and social opportunities for the Endicott community. The LGBTQIA+ ERG is open to all Endicott faculty and staff.
-
Women's Empowerment Employee Resource Group
Group Lead:
The mission of the Women's Empowerment ERG is to facilitate the well-being of employees who identify as women. The Women's Empowerment ERG aims to connect and empower women across campus and affirm and enhance their contributions to our college community. The Women's Empowerment ERG fosters experiences in which all women can thrive, through professional, personal, and spiritual growth, and through education, volunteer opportunities, networking, information sharing, and mentoring. The Women's Empowerment ERG is open to all Endicott faculty and staff.
-
Working Parents & Caregivers Employee Resource Group
Group Leads:
- Dr. Kaitlin LaMarre
- Dr. Matt Heiser
The mission of the Working Parents & Caregivers ERG is to promote an inclusive community for caregivers of all kinds. This includes anyone who is an expectant parent, aspiring parent, parent of newborns, toddlers, teenagers, young adults, foster parents, guardians, or grandparents, as well as those who may be taking care of an elderly relative. The Working Parents & Caregivers ERG is open to all Endicott faculty and staff.
On Campus Clubs and Organizations
-
AllianceAlliance is a student-led organization dedicated to generating a safe space for LGBTQIA+ community members and allies. They meet weekly to build community and design programming with goals to educate and increase awareness of LGBTQIA+ current events, challenges the community faces, and history. This group also has ties to the North Shore Alliance for Gay and Lesbian Youth (NAGLY), and continues to partner with this organization for community service and engagement activities.
-
Buddhist SanghaThis community is open to all people interested in learning more about the teaching of Buddhism. This is a time for reflection, Buddhist meditation, and making connections with other members of the community.
-
DREAMDREAM "Disability Rights Education Activism Mentorship" is a student organization committed to the equity and full experiences of students with disabilities on college campuses.
-
Intercultural ClubThe Intercultural Club raises awareness of the international community on campus, but also expands understanding of different cultures through presentations and fun activities.
-
Political Action CommitteePolitical Action Committee (PAC) is a non-partisan politics club for students to engage with national and global political issues and events.
-
Spiritual Life ClubSpiritual Life Club is a place where students can experience and learn about different spiritual faith practices.
-
Showing Up for Racial JusticeShowing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is dedicated to supporting causes for racial justice by supporting diversity and inclusion on Endicott's campus for all races.
-
Women in LEADershipWomen in LEADership helps students develop leadership skills beyond the classroom by attending events for networking success, making new connections, participating in community service efforts, and becoming involved in campus life.
Off Campus Resources
- Ethnic Barber Shops & Hair Salons
- Beverly Human Rights Committee
Annual Programs
- Intercultural Pre-Orientation (First Year Students and Transfer Students)
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Native American Heritage Month
- Black History Month
- Women’s History Month
- Pride Month (April)
- AAPI Heritage Month
Endicott Inspire Scholarship
The Endicott Inspire Scholarship was established by the College to promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Inspire Scholarship is awarded by the Offices of Admission and Financial Aid to a select group of first-generation college students with significant demonstrated financial need and strong academic achievement.
Endicott Certificate in Social Justice Education
Endicott offers a 15-credit certificate program designed to assist in addressing teacher identities, supporting social justice in the classroom, and understanding how marginalized groups have been adversely affected by school policy.
Teachers encounter a variety of students each day; in order to support and engage students, teachers should understand how to foster a culture where students are represented in fair and equitable ways.
DEI@Work
DEI@Work is a self-paced, non-credit, online course designed to educate students on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace. The course grew out of a collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, International Education, and the Internship & Career Center, and it has since won a Career Innovation Award through the Career Leadership Collective.
As a college that requires three internships for all students, we strive to prepare our students to succeed in the workplace, and a crucial part of that preparation is helping them understand the impact of bias, stereotypes, and privilege in a work setting, as well as how DEIB benefits the workplace. Because the content is delivered using Canvas, it is very familiar and easy to navigate for our students, as well as easily replicable by others using any LMS.
Each module begins with a brief introduction to define the topic, followed by a set of slides and brief videos and/or readings that go into more detail, provide examples, and cite studies, etc. Each module ends with a reflection assignment.
Overall, the feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with students citing the impact of the program on them, as described in the Program Evaluation section. We are excited to build on the initial success of this program and incorporate it into our pre-internship courses starting in Fall 2022 so that all of our undergraduate students can increase their self-awareness and knowledge of the impact of DEIB in the workplace.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Course Requirements
Courses in the DEI category provide students with greater cultural competency through the study of the many forms of diversity in society, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and geographic region. Issues of equity and inclusion are also emphasized. Students are required to take two DEI designated courses, one of which must be at the 200 level or above.-
CoursesApproved DEI Courses as of March 27, 2023
Courses AET201 Specific Populations in Expressive Therapies AET205 (formerly ART324) Foundations of Music Therapy ART237 History of Graphic Design BIO242 World Disease BUS320 Organizational Behavior BUS330 Consumer Behavior CMM206/ SOC206 Race, Ethnicity, and the Media DAN240 Global Dance ED 101 Introduction to Education ED 125 Approaches to Secondary Education ED 203 Inclusionary Practices in Education ED 221 Emergent Literacy Instruction ED 222 Culturally Responsive Pedagogy ED 240 Literacy in Content Areas ED 290 Teacher and Student Identities in the American Classroom ED 320 Classroom Management: Building Classroom Community & Maximizing Student Engagement ED 322 Critical Approaches to Children's Literature ED 403 Internship and Seminar in Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K-8) ED 404 Inclusionary Practices and Systems of Support EGR100 Intro to Engineering Design ENG203 Early American Literature ENG217 History & Structure of the English Language ENG224 Love & Protest in American Literature ENG226 Early American History & Literature ENG227 African-American Literature ENG314 Early World Literature ENG315 Women Writers ENG316 World Literature: 18th Century to Present ENG337 American Indian Experience: An Intro to the Literature HST217 Immigrant and Refugees in World and US History HST219 The Power of Black Music in America HST220 World History: African History HST230 African-American History HST235 Public History HST260 Modern Latin American History & Culture HST280 Middle Eastern History HST317 Civil Rights Movement HST330 History of Sexuality in the United States HTM321 Rituals and Traditions LST121 Introduction to Gender Studies LST210 Gender & Science LST215 Human Rights in Society MUS219 The Power of Black Music in America NU 411 Community and Population Health Nursing PE 208 Personal and Community Health PE 375 Exercise for Special Populations POL110 World Politics POL230 Political and Social Changes in Developing Countries POL310 Gender & Politics POL430 Human Rights PSY305 Social Psychology PSY313 Cultural Psychology REL251 Religion in American Life REL252 Religion & Politics in the Contemporary World SM303 Sport in Society SM335 Managerial Aspects of Leadership SOC302 Social Problems SOC320 Race & Ethnic Diversity in American Society
