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Our guiding principles

Fostering IE at every level

At Colorado State University, diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than words — they are a call to action. Through proactive efforts and meaningful progress, we are working towards our vision of an inclusive university community that welcomes and affirms diversity of people, perspectives, and ideas.
Founded in 2010, the Office for Inclusive Excellence, formerly known as the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, is committed to fostering an inclusive campus environment through the active engagement of Colorado State University employees and students.
3 CSU guys posing for a photo
Kauline bio pic

From the VP of Inclusive Excellence

“In the pursuit of a community where every individual not only belongs but flourishes, our efforts extend beyond mere inclusion. Here, we actively dismantle barriers and cultivate spaces that champion diversity in every form. Our mission is personal; it's a shared commitment to nurturing a campus that reflects the world's rich tapestry. Through strategic initiatives and a culture of continuous learning, we are not just reacting to the need for change — we are leading it, embedding equity in every action, and inviting every member of our family to play a part in this vital journey. It is here, at the intersection of education and equity, that we redefine excellence for the 21st century and beyond.” — Kauline Cipriani, Vice President of Inclusive Excellence

Individual

Inclusive Excellence resources that support the individual include the Educate Yourself blog, trainings for students and employees, the Cultural Resource Centers, the Diversity Symposium, and more.

Organizational

Inclusive Excellence supports the organizational level through specialized interventions tailored for specific units, the development of departmental diversity plans, community building affinity groups, and more.

Systemic

At the systemic level, Inclusive Excellence conducts the Employee Climate Survey and offers intersectional takeaways and department-specific data. The Inclusive Excellence Council impacts the university plans on diversity and inclusion, including policy change recommendations and developing new university-wide initiatives.

Building an inclusive CSU community

University Diversity Statement

Colorado State University is committed to embracing diversity through the inclusion of individuals reflective of characteristics such as age, culture, different ideas and perspectives, disability, ethnicity, first-generation status, familial status, gender identity and expression, geographic background, marital status, national origin, race, religious and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, medical diagnosis, documentation status, and veteran status with special attention given to populations historically underrepresented or excluded from participation in higher education. The University’s commitment to diversity is a longstanding one that reflects our role and mission as a land-grant institution.

Mission

Through community collaboration, we provide leadership, accountability, and education to advance an inclusive university culture that prioritizes equity at individual, organizational, and structural levels.

Vision

Colorado State University will be a modern land grant institution that embodies diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as fundamental values that inform our practices so all may access and realize their full potential.

Areas of Focus

The University’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence (IE) is a longstanding one that reflects our role and mission as a land grant institution and recognizes the work that is needed to precipitate change. Within the Office for Inclusive Excellence (OIE) our goal is to foster and maintain an environment where all members of the University community are welcomed, valued, and affirmed. We achieve this by focusing on the following areas:

  • Increase recruitment, retention, and promotion of faculty, staff and students from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations;
  • Partner with other CSU units to ensure students are more culturally competent and have skills to enter into a diverse global workplace;
  • Improve the university climate for inclusion;
  • Enhance effectiveness of curriculum, educational programs, and research, with regard to diversity and inclusion, and
  • Increase outreach and engagement with external communities