Access, Opportunity and Community Impact
We aim to create a transformative impact in the lives of our community members, celebrating the unique differences and shared similarities that enrich us all.
Carnegie Mellon University and the Dietrich College for Humanities and Social Sciences value a dynamic and diverse community where all members are responsible for contributing to an inclusive environment.
Vision & Values
The Dietrich College values diversity, equity and inclusion because:
- diverse institutions function better than homogenous ones; and
- equal opportunity for all is a moral imperative.
The college strives to promote a culture of respect, scholarship, innovation and integrity as we advance talented minds from diverse backgrounds. We aim to achieve these goals by implementing concrete practices at the center of our daily work that minimize bias and support diversity, by holding ourselves accountable to show progress and by attending to and revising these practices relentlessly.
In the Dietrich College, students, faculty and staff have opportunities to learn from one another, as well as from myriad cultural and academic resources. We challenge ourselves to consider the experiences and perspectives of others, engage and create meaningful connections to communities beyond our campus. By harnessing our abilities as researchers, thinkers and educators, the Dietrich College will embrace difference and celebrate the richness of our diverse culture.
Community Connections & Learning
At Dietrich College, we each have a role in building an inclusive, equitable and just community. Explore fellowships, awards, learing resources and more for Dietrich students, staff, faculty and the greater Pittsburgh community.
CMU Rales Fellows Program
The CMU Rales Fellow Program is dedicated to developing a community of STEM leaders from underrepresented and under-resourced backgrounds by eliminating cost as a barrier to education. Learn more about the RALES Fellows Program for master’s and Ph.D. students.
Better Together Learning Academy
The Better Together Learning Academy is one approach to providing the staff in our community with the tools to learn. The list of learning blocks was assembled based on staff interest. These learning blocks are self-paced and will guide you through your self-awareness and reflection to become an advocate in building a college that fosters a sense of belonging for everyone.
Staff Community Excellence Award
The Dietrich College Staff Community Excellence Award is a college-level award recognizing individuals who regularly go above and beyond expectations to create a more inclusive, just and welcoming community. Learn how to nominate a staff member for this honor.
Engagement & Outreach Dashboard
Dietrich College faculty and staff are invited to use this interactive dashboard to learn about Dietrich's outreach and engagement efforts, strengthen existing partnerships, and share knowledge and resources. Explore the dashboard.
Leadership, Excellence, Access, Persistence (LEAP)
LEAP is an educational program that uses storytelling to empower under-resourced high school students to become agents of social change. This year-round program provides a supportive learning environment in which students are paid learn with local artists, activists, and scholars who are working to create positive change in the world. Learn more about LEAP.
Arts Greenhouse
Arts Greenhouse is an arts and humanities education program that fosters the expressive and intellectual development of Pittsburgh’s youth. By providing safe spaces and proactive platforms for collective creativity, the goal is to promote a balance of self-expression with activities that emphasize the collective nature of all artistic creation. Learn more about Arts Greenhouse.
FocusU
FocusU civility, diversity and inclusion training and awareness resources are available to all members of the university community.
Bias & Ethics Reporting
Bias and ethics reporting are important to all Carnegie Mellon University community members. Each of us has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance and report suspected bias incidents and unethical or illegal behavior.
Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion
Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion cultivates a strong, diverse and inclusive community capable of embodying these values and advancing research, creativity, learning and development that changes the world.
Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services provides a safe, confidential environment for students to talk about personal and academic concerns.
Office of Disability Resources
The Office of Disability Resources responsive and reasonable accommodations to students who self-identify as having a disability, including physical, sensory, cognitive and emotional disabilities.
Office of Disability Services for Faculty & Staff
The Office of Disability Services for Faculty and Staff assists with job accommodations, digital and physical accessibility and resources for short- and long-term conditions.
Faculty/Staff Support & Assistance Programs
Support and assistance programs for faculty and staff include the Employee Assistance Program, Carelink, Family and Childcare Resources, and LGBTQ+ Resouces.
National Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion
The National Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion provides professional development resources and support to our faculty.
Progress Highlights
The list below highlights a number of concrete steps the college has taken to make Dietrich a place where people of all identities, perspectives and experiences feel welcome, able to present their authentic selves and empowered to reach their full potential.
The Dietrich College created the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee to facilitate communication and provide accountability.
The Dietrich College faculty search committees incorporated procedural changes to minimize bias during searches. In doing so, we are expanding the pool of scholars to recruit to the college.
As a result, we've hired new faculty members to expand the scope of research and learning in the college that reflects the interests of our scholars.
Carnegie Mellon University has expanded professional development opportunities for staff focused on civility and community connections.
CMU also became a member of Vibrant Pittsburgh to connect staff, faculty and students with resources and events across the greater Pittsburgh area.
The Dietrich College is committed to making our college accessible to low-income, first-generation and/or underrepresented students in Pittsburgh through the LEAP program and the Arts Greenhouse. LEAP is a high school outreach program, in partnership with CFA. This high-quality, intensive year-round program with humanities and arts-focused programming launched in fall 2021. Arts Greenhouse is an arts and humanities education initiative that fosters the expressive and intellectual development of Pittsburgh’s youth.
Dietrich College has welcomed several cohorts for the Dietrich Scholars Fellowship. The Dietrich Scholars Fellowship is an exemplary group of diverse scholars pursuing degrees in the humanities and social sciences. It provides a pathway to success through financial support, opportunities to expand networks and professional development.
Dietrich College is leveraging the general education curriculum to expand access to courses that cover topics in diversity, equity and inclusion. The new curriculum offers students opportunities to explore courses in intercultural and global inquiry as well as perspectives on justice and injustice. Students can choose from a dozen courses in each category throughout their education at the college.
Contact Us
Ayana Ledford
Associate Dean for Community Impact and Educational Outreach
Office hours by appointment
Mary Anne Hunter
Senior Administrative Coordinator
To schedule a meeting with Ayana Ledford, please email Mary Anne Hunter.