Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

College of Education Diversity and Inclusion Statement

What We Believe
As a College of Education, we have a responsibility to prepare students who will work with children, youth, and adults to foster more inclusive, just, and equitable learning and relationships with schools, agencies, families, and communities. We believe it is essential to cultivate the knowledge, awareness, skills, and dispositions needed to engage about and across differences in a diverse, multicultural, and global society.

What We Do
The College of Education is implementing multiple initiatives and opportunities for our students, PK-12 school partners and other relevant agencies, faculty, and staff. These efforts align with MSU’s five-year plan, especially as it pertains to inclusive excellence, including the following examples:

• Establishing the Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce
• Sustaining recruitment, retention, and ongoing support of diverse educators in partnership with Springfield Public Schools' Future Educators program
• Developing guides to mentor and support LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other minoritized students across programs and areas of interest
• Embedding multicultural education and global engagement into our curriculum
• Addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in our teaching and learning
• Advocating for the Bear POWER program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Supporting the Rural Imperative Initiative for rural schools
• Implementing Bears for Equity and Belonging, a professional development series for faculty, staff, students, and community
• Promoting a Multicultural Education Resource Hub
• Holding ourselves accountable to our students and the communities they serve