Building an Equity Lens: The Importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in the College Admission Process

The concept of diversity and inclusion has continued to evolve in definition and practice throughout higher education. From the idea of “multiculturalism” to what we now refer to as diversity and inclusion initiatives at many institutions, how we define and implement diversity and inclusion practices continues to change over time. This session will set a brief historical foundation of these terms and their evolution over the years to what we know now as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access. We hope to provide you with the tools to understand how diversity work is defined at your own institution and how it relates to your recruitment work and personal beliefs and biases within the application review process. Our hope is that you are able to walk away with the understanding that diversity and inclusion are a lens through which we advocate for students and continue building best practices that strive to promote equity.