Equity Glossary of Terms

The many ways people are different, including culture, race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, life experiences, beliefs, identities, and perspectives. Diversity strengthens our campus by bringing different voices and experiences together.

Providing people with the support, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed, while recognizing that not everyone starts from the same place. Equity focuses on removing barriers and closing opportunity gaps.

Creating spaces where people feel welcomed, respected, heard, and able to fully participate. Inclusion is about making sure everyone feels they belong.

Designing spaces, services, technology, and learning experiences so that everyone—including people with disabilities—can fully access and participate.

The feeling of being accepted, valued, supported, and connected within a community. When people feel they belong, they are more likely to engage, learn, and thrive.

Taking intentional action to identify, challenge, and change policies, practices, and behaviors that create or maintain racial inequities. Anti-racism moves beyond awareness and focuses on action.

Recognizing, valuing, and incorporating the diverse cultural backgrounds, identities, and experiences of students into teaching, services, and campus practices.

Attitudes, assumptions, or stereotypes—sometimes unconscious—that can influence how we see or treat others.

Unconscious beliefs or associations that can affect our decisions, interactions, and expectations without us realizing it.

A commitment to examining policies, practices, and outcomes through an equity lens and taking responsibility for removing barriers to student success.

The understanding that people may experience systems of advantage or discrimination differently based on the combination of their identities, such as race, gender, disability, class, or sexual orientation.

The idea that academic excellence and equity go hand in hand, and that institutions are strongest when all people have opportunities to succeed.

Everyday comments or actions—intentional or not—that can communicate harmful assumptions, stereotypes, or exclusion toward others.

Designing courses, services, spaces, or technology to work for the widest range of people from the start, rather than adding accommodations later.

Approaches that focus on meeting students where they are, recognizing their strengths, and supporting their learning, well-being, and success.