Support Belonging and Inclusive Excellence

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leads institutional strategy and partnerships across campus to develop and sustain initiatives that foster belonging and inclusive excellence. We are committed to cultivating a campus community where all who live, learn, and work at St. Thomas can thrive and reach their highest potential.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

Our commitment to inclusive excellence is rooted in our Catholic convictions, which guide us in advancing human dignity and diversity. We consider inclusive excellence indispensable to our institutional and academic achievement and to the holistic development and advancement of every student, faculty, and staff member. We value the vast array of individuals and group characteristics, including social, physical, and psychological differences. All provide a university experience rich in perspectives, fostering an environment grounded in mutual learning, flourishing, and belonging.

The Why of Our Work

We strive to show up for ourselves and for one another. Guided by the Culture of Encounter, we are called to be present, listen deeply, and create meaningful relationships across similarities and differences. Our work is grounded in our shared humanity, which seeks to create spaces where every person can feel seen, valued, and connected in community. Loneliness is an epidemic, and a sense of belonging matters.

The U.S. Surgeon General's report declared loneliness and isolation a public health epidemic, with Gen. Z (ages 18–27) ranking among the loneliest. Additionally, a 2024 Minds of Minnesotans study found that nearly half of Minnesotans feel lonely at least some of the time. These numbers reflect more than just statistics. They point to the societal culture that impacts our campus community and broader society. Join us to engage, encounter, and foster connection and belonging.

Your investment in the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fuels student, staff, and faculty development, engagement, and success. It advances initiatives around storytelling, healing, intercultural learning, and building competencies to strengthen relationships, group dynamics, and community across the campus.

Support Key Areas of Need

Our culture of belonging grows through your generosity.

• The CONNECT Initiative: Equipping our students, faculty, and staff with a wide range of intercultural and conflict resolution tools to engage across differences with empathy, compassion, and confidence.
• Community Healing Circles: Fostering facilitated spaces for reflection, repair, and shared understanding.
• 6-Word Memoir Project: Inspiring authentic storytelling and amplifying reflections on finding purpose, identity, and culture in creating a greater sense of connection and belonging.
• Capacity Building, Community Convenings, and Recognition: Sustaining this work through peer mentoring, professional development, community-building convenings, sponsorships, partnerships, and honoring the contributions of those who make belonging possible every day.

Here is what our campus community is saying about these programs:

Students have said:

• “The experience in the circle was great. I had lots of great conversations.”
• “It was so healing and wonderful to meet new people.”
• “It felt rewarding to hear other people’s stories. And it was nice to share mine.”
• “From this workshop, my plan is to show up when it matters. I sure hope to do better and to ensure that everyone who crosses my path is treated well.”
• “This workshop helped me to step back and consider actual ways we could change norms and values into ones that recognize yet normalize diversity."
• “[This session taught me to] Take each day as a learning experience, as far as learning about diversity and making sure that we all strive together.”
• “[I enjoyed] being able to speak without judgment, and practice listening.”
• “[I enjoyed participating] to be heard without interruptions, to provide the same to another, to care for each other in this special way.”

Faculty and staff have said:

• “I have become more aware that there could be other valid viewpoints to an issue than the one I have.”
• “We continued the conversations after the [community] circle.”
• "[I’ve learned] how much more comfortable I am about having difficult conversations.”
• “I loved the community-building feel and the chance to learn more about my colleagues.”
• “It has really opened me up to people and to talk about these important topics/issues, even if it’s not comfortable.”
• “It was healing for me to share my story and hear other people’s stories.”
• “[I learned] the fact that people from different cultures all share similar experiences.”
• “I listen differently [now].”
• I really enjoyed hearing the stories from co-workers. It is helpful to get to know them and what is important to them.”

Together, we can continue building a university rooted in dignity, respect, and belonging for all.

Thank you for your generosity!