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Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Embracing Diversity and Fostering Inclusion Across Northwestern

About Our Work

Our Commitment

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability

As the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI), our core objective is to ensure each member of our community feels not just included, but truly integral to our institutional fabric. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. 

In line with our commitment, we have adopted a comprehensive approach that centralizes Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) as foundational pillars. This commitment is manifested through several concrete initiatives that you can witness in your day-to-day interactions at Northwestern.

READ our Commitment

Who We Are

arch on campus

Mission

The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion leads initiatives and guides policy at the enterprise-level to create an increasingly inclusive, diverse, equitable, and welcoming environment for all Northwestern community members – including students, faculty, and staff.

Learn more about us

OIDI speakers at an event

Initiatives

We seek to develop diverse leaders and promote inclusion and equity at Northwestern University through strategic innovation.

Learn more about our initiatives

Group photo of OIDI staff on staircase.

Our Team

Meet the staff from the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

Meet our team

Find the Support You Need

We support and coordinate diversity and inclusion efforts across Northwestern.

  • Gender Inclusive Initiative
    Find resources and updates on initiatives for our gender expansive community.
  • IDEA Scholars
    The IDEA Scholars Mentoring and Leadership Coaching program is a mid-career faculty leadership development program.
  • Staff Affinity Groups
    Join a staff affinity group to enhance your personal and professional development and foster community.
  • Progress & Reports
    Our office publishes annual reports on the progress of the University’s numerous initiatives for accountability and transparency.
  • Across Campus Support
    Find staff affinity groups, workshops, campus partners and more within our filterable database.
  • Report an incident
    Report sexual misconduct, discrimination, or harassment with the Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance site.
  • Contact Us
    Meet our team and send us suggestions and feedback. Also submit news, events, or resources to share.
  • Across Campus Support
    Find support, diversity and inclusion resources, and more within our filterable database.
  • Academic Programs and Centers
    Northwestern provides a variety of programs and centers for students that fuels powerful collaborations, across diverse fields of study.
  • Events
    Stay up to date with the latest events at Northwestern.
  • Women’s Center
    The Women’s Center supports all women, trans, non-binary and gender-expansive students, faculty, and staff.
  • Contact Us
    Meet our team and send us suggestions and feedback. Also submit news, events, or resources to share.
  • News & Events
    Get the latest DEI news and stay up-to-date with university events.

News and Announcements

Find a variety of recent news, announcements, and more related to diversity and inclusion at Northwestern.

A photo of Njoki Kamau (left) and Sarah Brown (right) standing outside in front of a sign that says "Women's Center".

Women's History Month 2024

March 1, 2024

Sarah Brown (Director) and Njoki Kamau (Assistant Director) of the Women's Center, dives into the inception of Women's History Month and encourages those who are subject to gender oppression to take time to recognize the light they bring to the spaces they occupy.

A graphic with a black background and the words A  Month of Black History Exploration in the center.

A Month of Black History Exploration

February 6, 2024

In recognition of Black History Month, the OIDI education team has curated a variety of books, podcasts, music, and films that showcase the rich culture and history of Black people. 

Black History Month February 2024

Black History Month 2024

February 1, 2024

Black Professionals Network (BPN) co-chairs, Tracey Gibson-Jackson and Toni Montgomery, encourages reflection on Black pioneers and suggests avenues to celebrate Black History Month.

UNIDOS Board

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

September 6, 2023

UNIDOS Affinity Group Co-Chairs (Gabriela Hedrick, Michael Marino, and Sonia Calles Mesa) share historical insight, the impact of colonization, and the beauty of LatinX culture and heritage.

Maj Kargbo

Unlocking the Transformative Power of Education

August 1, 2023

Maj Kargbo, the newly hired Director for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Education and Training, shares how we can collectively unlock the power of education.

Michelle Manno

Creating a more inclusive campus

May 17, 2023

Michelle Manno, Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, shares why “access” is only a portion in the bigger picture of creating a more inclusive environment.

Stay Up-To-Date

Education Series

A low angle of person with blue jeans and brown  shoes on, walking alone on a wooden path.

Centering First-Gen Students

December 4, 2023

This segment has been thoughtfully developed and curated by Ivana Zelaya Avila, our dedicated Graduate Assistant. Ivana is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Higher Education Administration and Policy, bringing a fresh and insightful perspective to our content. 

Events

Mar
20
2024

Let This Radicalize You Student Learning Group

6:30 PM Women's Center, 2000 Sheridan Rd.
Join us this winter for our student-centered reading group on Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and Revolution of Reci...
Mar
23
2024

8th Annual Urban Native Education Conference

9:00 AM 750 S Halsted St
Hosted by the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative (CAICC), this 8th annual conference will facilitate the ex...
Mar
27
2024

Let This Radicalize You Student Learning Group

6:30 PM Women's Center, 2000 Sheridan Rd.
Join us this winter for our student-centered reading group on Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and Revolution of Reci...
Land Acknowledgement seal

Land Acknowledgement

Northwestern is a community of learners situated within a network of historical and contemporary relationships with Native American tribes, communities, parents, students, and alumni. It is also in close proximity to an urban Native American community in Chicago and near several tribes in the Midwest.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa. It was also a site of trade, travel, gathering and healing for more than a dozen other Native tribes and is still home to over 100,000 tribal members in the state of Illinois.

Read more about Land Acknowledgments at Northwestern.