Western Carolina University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community of Practice
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community of Practice at WCU is an open-enrollment group of concerned Faculty and Staff volunteers who are working to continue to connect and extend opportunities for all people to feel comfortable and connected in the WCU community. This focus on DEI helps to advance Western Carolina University’s commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and access.
At this point the Community of Practice is divided into three non-exclusive neighborhoods, Building Community, Using Data, and Professional Development.
Do You Want to Know More?
We’ll be happy to connect any interested party to this effort and to find a place for you or your effort to belong in our Community of Practice. Feel free to use the link below to contact us.
Our Neighborhoods
Building Community
The Building Community neighborhood of the WCU DEI Community of Practice seeks to foster a sense of belongingness within WCU and the surrounding area. Our neighborhood works to host diverse groups in informal gatherings, set the stage for impactful conversations and innovative collaborations, and participate in campus events that celebrate our community. To learn more or to join our neighborhood, read on about the current subdivision’s initiatives.
Using Data
The Using Data neighborhood focuses on finding connections between our University data resources and the work that we do to promote DEIB. During our time together, we explore current data related to DEIB to identify trends, data-driven best practices, and opportunities for growth. Our vision is to facilitate conversations across campus that use data to inform our DEIB work.
Professional Development
The Professional Development neighborhood of the WCU DEI Community of Practice seeks to organize and publish an online repository of curated resources for faculty, staff and students that will support their independent professional development on topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The aim is to empower the community to learn about and engage with DEIB topics, integrate DEIB into courses and campus activities, and adopt policies and procedures that promote DEIB on campus.