MISSION Statement

The mission of the Lesley University Diversity Council is to cultivate a learning environment in our on-campus, national, and international programs, which recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person, fosters sensitivity, appreciation, and mutual respect among its members; encourages and supports each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential; and promotes an understanding of human diversity in all its dimensions.

We are preparing Lesley University students to become positive forces for diversity within our local, national and global communities. At the heart of our mission is our commitment to social justice and the belief that multiple perspectives and experiences are essential to our University mission.

Diversity Events:

The Challenging Conversations - A series of campus-wide discussions

The Challenging Conversations seek to engage members of the university community in personal reflections of their views and understandings of the most difficult and politically sensitive dimensions of the larger term, Diversity. Each conversation provides opportunities and support to ask the typically "unspoken questions" about one's perceptions, personal beliefs and responses to those they consider "different". The goal is to deepen our understanding of our respective views of the world and to encourage a new appreciation and respect for each of those we encounter. The conversations are guided by persons with experience and a deep understanding of the topic and all participants are encouraged to raise their most pressing questions or observations, to share relevant experiences and to seek new levels of personal awareness of people who are different because of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and physical or intellectual ability.

• Religion and Identity
• Women and Religion
• Interface Between Work Life and Home Life
• Personal Cultural Histories

Race, Culture, Identity and Achievement

Lesley University is among the institutional sponsors of the Race, Culture, Identity and Achievement series which explores the persistent academic achievement gap between majority and racial and linguistic minority students. The seminars seek to deepen our understanding of the factors that contribute to the under-performance of minority students and to explore what schools and educators can do to close the achievement gap.