Framing the College’s DEI Goals: An Equity Framework

It is critical that all students who graduate from Amherst College have equal access to opportunities for success, and that all staff and faculty are equipped to support a diverse student body as well as contribute to an inclusive College culture. We have made strong and visible commitments to excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion over the last few years and, as the College’s focus has shifted towards incorporating an awareness of anti-racism into its DEI work, so too has the work of each division as they have assessed the goals and strategies necessary to move this critical work forward. The overarching framework allows us to amplify, align, and ultimately improve the efficacy of the DEI efforts that are described below in the following key areas:

  1. Sustained Access
  2. Institutional Climate & Intergroup Relations
  3. Education & Pedagogy
  4. Institutional Infrastructure

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Divisional Goals

The specific activities being taken, by whom and by when, to achieve the equity work at Amherst is detailed in each Division’s DEI plans. These divisional plans are living documents, designed to shift as the needs of the College change and as the work progresses. As each and every member of the Amherst community does their part to work towards a more inclusive and equitable College culture, opportunities for input and collaboration abound. This website provides a place for community members to view updates to plans and see how the work is progressing in real time. Questions regarding each plan can be directed to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Each division’s action plans, linked below, articulate overarching goals as they relate to the Equity Framework’s priority areas, the steps currently being taken to achieve them, the timeframe within which they will be carried out, the metrics that will be used to determine the extent to which each goal is successfully completed, and status updates.

DEI Goals by Priority Area