Seattle University
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

1. THE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (ODI) https://www.seattleu.edu/diversity:
The ODI aims to promote inclusive excellence in the university’s teaching, research and service dimensions. ODI’s mission is to foster an institutional culture where there is no dichotomy between our values of diversity and inclusion, and our goals of educational quality and excellence.

The office is led by the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Natasha Martin, who is joined by Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Laura Heider, and Senior Executive Coordinator, Paige Powers. ODI advances the institution’s mission of training leaders for a just and humane world by working collaboratively to build the university’s sustainable capacity to fully integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into the strategic priorities of the institution.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion embraces an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. ODI visions a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

The work of ODI is guided by Goal 4 of Seattle University’s Reigniting Strategic Directions, which is focused on inclusive excellence. The goal is supported by the university’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan for Inclusion and anti-racism, named LIFT SU. LIFT SU is formulated on the effort to Listen and learn, Impact through intentional action, Fail forward, and Transform together. More detailed information on the Action Plan can be found on the LIFT SU page here: https://www.seattleu.edu/diversity/lift-su-our-action-plan/


2. The MOSAIC Center (https://www.seattleu.edu/mosaic/):
The MOSAIC Center is committed to creating Meaningful Opportunities for Student Access, Inclusion, and Community (MOSAIC). The MOSAIC Center plays a critical role in supporting intercultural learning and development of students. We encourage students to increase their awareness of self and others and co-create a more inclusive campus culture by cultivating an environment that promotes curiosity and learning. We are invested in the thriving of students from historically minoritized and underrepresented backgrounds, and we do this by:
o Enhancing a sense of belonging & creating opportunities for connection
o Providing social justice education & tools for advocacy
o Providing mentorship & leadership development
o Providing tangible resources & support
At the MOSAIC Center, you’ll find specific programs, services, and resources that support the thriving of students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, undocumented students, first-generation students, veterans and military-connected students, commuter and transfer students, and graduate and adult learners.


3. THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY (OIE) (https://www.seattleu.edu/equity/):
The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), in support of the university's efforts to promote and maintain an equitable, safe, and inclusive working and learning environment:
--oversees and coordinates the university's response to all complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and related retaliation - including monitoring outcomes, identifying and addressing patterns, and assessing effects on the campus climate, and
--partners with other key resources at SU to ensure that the university's support resources, training, policies, and procedures are effective, fair to all involved, and consistent with the university's mission and values.

Nearly each department on campus offers some amount of DEI-related engagement for faculty and staff. ODI facilitates a variety of programming, including but not limited to the "Red Talks" series, Racial Equity Summit, Equitable Faculty Hiring, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration. See: https://www.seattleu.edu/diversity/odi-programs/

In relation to student engagement, there are dozens of campus programs throughout the year focused on questions of intercultural understanding, complex identity, and various forms of social justice. The MOSAIC Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), Office of Institutional Equity, Center for Community Engagement, Center for Jesuit Education, Campus Ministry, International Student Center, and others on campus offer such programs regularly. In addition, many departments and colleges have a series of programs every year addressing such questions. In addition, many colleges and departments regularly offer opportunities for staff/faculty to use their professional development funds to attend trainings at organizations such as The People’s Institute Northwest and The Social Justice Training Institute.

The MOSAIC Center offers workshops and trainings focused on raising awareness, cultural sensitivity, and knowledge of equity issues. Focal areas for workshops and trainings include:
- Increasing awareness of cultural histories and perspectives
- Understanding structural inequalities and oppression
- Exposure to minoritized experiences and narratives
- Ability to name –isms and their manifestation from an individual to societal level
- Deconstructing systems of privilege
- Developing skill sets for critical thinking, dialogue, and advocacy related to social justice

The MOSAIC Center also offers a variety of programs to engage on identity and intercultural issues. These experiences include awareness week programs, DEIB focused orientation workshops, retreats and leadership program, and identity specific commencement celebrations. By attending events, participants can deepen their understanding of cultural dynamics, address structural inequalities, and greater perspective on systems of privilege.