Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Lindenwood University is proud of its diverse population, which includes faculty and staff from all corners of the world and students from six continents and over 100 countries. We believe that our diversity and commitment to valuing diversity, both in and out of the classroom, places us on the cutting edge of scholastic and pedagogical innovations, preparing our students to be educated, responsible citizens of a global community. Intentionally, we design our policies and engage in practices such that all stakeholders (whether students, employees, or visitors) will be treated respectfully, fairly, equitably, and with dignity and inclusiveness in the pursuit and achievement of the objectives of their relationship with the university.
Additionally, we strive to ensure the opportunities afforded by the university for learning, personal advancement, and employment are offered to all without discrimination; and that we always provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for all students, employees, and visitors. Upholding a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion means that we fully understand and accept the fact that people of different cultures, races, colors, genders, ages, qualifications, skills, experiences, religions, orientations, affiliations, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, disabilities, or countries of origin are simply fellow human beings who are different and have the right to be different without being mistreated or discriminated against on the basis of their differences. Therefore, all Lindenwood policies, facilities, resources, activities, and privileges, irrespective of individual differences, are made available and accessible to everyone in our community.
At Lindenwood University, we will strive to
- Offer collaborative and integrated academic and sporting programs that provide mutually beneficial experiences (locally and internationally) to our diverse body of students.
- Pursue and promote mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation among our teaching and non-teaching staff, contractors, suppliers, and visitors to our community who represent the aforementioned differences.
- Respect the knowledge, skills, and experiences that every person in our community brings to the university.
- Design and operate flexible and easily accessible services, facilities, and activities whose procedures appropriately recognize the needs of both the able and disabled.
- Make every effort to ensure that no discrimination occurs among individuals or groups in the daily discharge of the university’s work.
- Protect every member of our community against all forms of discrimination.
- Encourage and promote the empowerment and advancement of ethnic and gender minority groups within our community through academic and social activities, offering activities of special interest to them, and affording them equal-opportunity integration within our community.
- Make every effort to ensure that our current and future contractual agreements and obligations fully reflect and embrace our commitment to the philosophy and culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion as delineated in this statement.
- Encourage all faculty and staff members to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all locations within our community.