Gustavus Adolphus College
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The mission statement of the President’s Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (PCDEI) is to foster a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. It is a community where a mature understanding of the Christin faith and lives of service are nurtured and students are encouraged to work toward a just and peaceful world. The purpose of a Gustavus education is to help students attain their full potential as persons, to develop in them a capacity and passion for lifelong learning, and to prepare them for fulfilling lives of leadership and service in society. The PCDEI is charged by the Gustavus president with the following responsibilities:Articulate Gustavus’ vision, expectations, and goals with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion: Identify and examine institutional barriers related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including those associated with Gustavus’ history, values, and structures; Review evolving best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion and recommend improvements in policies, practices, and programming; Coordinate and participate in implementation of applicable Gustavus Acts strategies. Identify diversity, equity, and inclusion-related goals and assess progress toward their achievement annually;
Propose and coordinate events and initiatives that will enhance community engagement around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; Develop a communication plan and report regularly on plans and progress to the Gustavus community and others; Serve as representatives of, advocates for, and liaisons to the stakeholder groups associated with the Council (students/student organizations, faculty, administration, support staff, alumni).


The mission of the Center for Inclusive Excellence is to provide leadership for positive and equitable change that creates a welcoming and supportive environment for persons historically under-served in American colleges and universities. We partner with faculty, staff, and students to design activities that infuse into college life an acceptance and deep understanding for differences that are morally and socially just.

At the direction of President Bergman, the President’s Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (PCDEI) exists to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive Gustavus community. Motivated by its vision that Gustavus will be a just community where all of us feel a sense of belonging and benefit from an exceptional education, the PCDEI launched a 3-year Racial Justice and Inclusion effort in October 2020. Supported by a resolution from the Board of Trustees, the PCDEI will advance and enhance the College's DEI and antiracism work across the whole campus. This came in the form of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education offered to all faculty, staff, and students. This training included topics such as: defining diversity and inclusion, engaging with difference, monitoring assumptions, looking for similarities; anticipating impact of behavior, choice, and language, identity terminology, defining microaggressions and knowing their effects, power dynamics of microaggressions, responding as sender, recipient and bystander; faculty/staff course also includes recognizing unconscious bias, underlying myths about women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people. The training was offered and encouraged to all faculty, staff and students. 98% of staff participated, 95% of faculty participated, and 35% of students participated.