The new Center for Inclusion and Social Change will become part of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE), a move designed to foster a more holistic approach to supporting the educational experiences of CU Boulder students in and outside the classroom.
Campus leaders said the center would play a central role in CU Boulder’s inclusive excellence initiative. Under the plan, Student Affairs Assistant Vice Chancellor Dyonne Bergeron will move into the ODECE organization effective today.
“Through this effort, we will more directly link students’ academic enrichment and success with the center’s leadership development offerings to enrich their personal development and success,” said Bob Boswell, vice chancellor for diversity, equity and community engagement and CU Boulder’s chief diversity officer.
This move was a partnership between Boswell and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Christina Gonzales to meet the provost’s goals of continuously enhancing and improving student-centered experiences. Ěý
“By aligning the center with ODECE, we hope to expand the reach and scope of academic and student development support services. The Division of Student Affairs remains dedicated to inclusive excellence and will continue to partner with ODECE,” Gonzales said.
Under ODECE, the center will also focus on strengthening student support and development by expanding community-building efforts for students of diverse social identities, including historically underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college students, and increase and enhance collaborative efforts among learning communities such as the First Generation Grant Program, CU LEAD Alliance and residential academic programs.
“We want to reach our goal of making excellence inclusive – in this case, within the wide array of student support programs and activities we offer – to achieve greater inclusion and achievement for all students,” Boswell said.
