Chief Diversity Officers

In 2015–16, over 40% of the student body population in Catholic higher education was non-white. Over the past six years, the number of white students enrolled in Catholic colleges and universities decreased by 8%, while the number of Hispanic students increased by 38%. Currently, 29 ACCU member colleges are identified as Minority-Serving Institutions, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, and one HBCU (Historically Black College or University). An additional 17 institutions serve student body populations that are over 50% non-white.

To address these demographics, ACCU has offered a selection of events and resources to the Catholic higher education community. Most recently, it has helped coordinate the launch of a new professional association: Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officers in Catholic Higher Education. Details about the group follow.

In conjunction with its 2021 Annual Meeting, ACCU will be offering a dedicated pre-conference session for those who fulfill this vital campus role. See the schedule and link to register below.

To provide a forum for diversity professionals and university leaders to develop an equity- mindedness framework combining faith, reason, and eliminating systemic and structural barriers to access and opportunity in Catholic higher education and in the broader society.

In 2019, DePaul University collaborated with the University of Notre Dame to launch the Consortium of Diversity Officers in Catholic Higher Education. In August 2019, the group held its inaugural convening on DePaul's Loop Campus to discuss the incorporation and intersection of mission, Catholic values, and faith in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Twenty-two diversity professionals and religious leaders from universities across the country attended the two-day summer retreat. The group used a pastoral letter on racism, issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as a vehicle for the discussion. The group used the pastoral letter as the starting point of an ongoing conversation regarding the meaning and varying strategies to incorporate Catholic social justice teaching and institutional mission into the work of diversity and inclusion in Catholic higher education. The retreat served as an essential first step in discussing DEI through the lens of Catholic education and in the formation of a network of diversity professionals.

Participants at the first retreat developed a camaraderie and shared similar experiences, and discussed strategies for driving institutional change and the importance of developing a network that provides guiding principles to diversity officers and university leaders. The Consortium hopes to transform systems through collective action and to provide thought leadership on what it means to exist in faith, developing equitable diversity and inclusion systems and guiding Catholic higher education.

The Consortium held a second retreat hosted by Creighton University in September 2020, with 33 participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the retreat was virtual, but provided the opportunity for diversity officers to discuss antiracism efforts on their campuses and continue conversations on formalizing the group structure. Following the Creighton University retreat, the Consortium spent the fall drafting its mission and purpose, and developing an action plan for a larger convening as part of the 2021 ACCU Annual Meeting.

1. Connection: Create a space for diversity officers in Catholic higher education to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and create a sense of community.
2. Collective Action: Advocate for action-based programs and initiatives that disrupt and transform Catholic higher education.
3. Collaboration: Collaborate and share best practices for internal synergy with mission officers, presidents, and other university leaders to develop equity-mindedness and social justice.
4. Creation: DEI Guiding Principles inform diversity and executive leaders on what must be done to achieve equity in ACCU institutions.
5. Communication: Provide a forum for DEI learning. Intellectual contributions and communique on DEI positions on current issues

Consortium for Chief Diversity Officers in Catholic Higher Education Conference

A 2021 ACCU Annual Meeting Pre-Conference Session

Thursday, February 4, 2021

12:30 - 5:30 p.m. (EST)

Register for this Pre-Conference Session

Conference Schedule

Questions? Contact accu@accunet.org

Many thanks to our 2021 Consortium for Chief Diversity Officers in Catholic Higher Education Conference Planning Committee for their assistance in planning this year's conference!

Lawrence A. Burnley, Vice President, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, University of Dayton
Liz Ortiz, Vice President of Institutional Diversity and Equity, DePaul University
Christopher Whitt, Vice Provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Creighton University
Pamela Young, Director of Academic Diversity and Inclusion, University of Notre Dame