Our Work

At Gonzaga, we nurture the dignity of all people to create an inclusive and increasingly multicultural academic community. This commitment to diversity is part of who we are as a University, and it reflects our deeply rooted Jesuit and Catholic ideals of social justice and service.

To create a diverse and inclusive community, we encourage dialogue, intellectual exchange and solidarity. We work to create a learning environment that promotes cultural engagement, enriches mindfulness, fosters a sense of belonging, and challenges systems of privilege and oppression.

Mission

The Office of Inclusive Excellence at Gonzaga University is dedicated to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, equity is paramount, inclusion is the practice, and belonging is the foundation. Guided by the Jesuit values of social justice, respect for the individual, and the pursuit of knowledge, our mission is to cultivate a campus culture that values and embraces every individual's unique contribution.

We strive to create an inclusive community that transcends differences, promotes understanding, and ensures every member feels a sense of belonging. Through intentional outreach, education, and collaboration, we work to dismantle barriers, challenge biases, and champion social justice. Our commitment to inclusive excellence extends beyond rhetoric; it is a daily practice that permeates all aspects of university life.

By fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, we support faculty and staff and contribute to our students' holistic development, preparing them to engage with the global community as compassionate, responsible, and open-minded citizens. Our mission is to reflect Gonzaga University's academic excellence and embody the Jesuit ideals of care for the whole person, discernment, and the promotion of justice in all endeavors for all university members.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence is a catalyst for positive, transformational change, and leading the way towards a campus where everyone is valued, heard, seen, and empowered to thrive.

Vision

Our vision is to be a beacon of light and hope, inspiring transformative change within our university and beyond. By embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and promoting equity, we aim to build a more just and compassionate society rooted in the values of love, solidarity, and belonging.

Values

In addition to following the Institutional Work Values, Inclusive Excellence has the following values:

Teamwork: We recognize that the Office of Inclusive Excellence’s work occurs at the intersection of progress, prevention, and compliance. While we may have different individual goals, it is only in working together that we can achieve a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus climate.

Accountability: As stewards of Inclusive Excellence on campus, we are committed to continual improvement, honest evaluation, and clear communication of our work. We are responsible for ensuring our work meets the needs of our campus community.

Trust: We understand that transparency and respect are pivotal to fostering trust; both in our office and with our campus and community partners.

Fun: The work of transformative change is often challenging. As an office, we are dedicated to finding levity and promoting positivity to make this work sustainable.

Collaboration: We are committed to working across all areas of campus to connect the work of faculty, staff, and students to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We recognize that building relationships makes our work more successful and impactful.

Integrity: All our operations, whether they are linked to creating a culture of belonging and inclusivity or creating policies and procedures for compliance with federal, state, and local statutes, will be performed with high ethical standards and with the well-being of our community at the forefront of our minds.

Kindness/Compassion: We will achieve our goals by being kind to each other and ourselves, by affirming the dignity inherent in all humans, and turning our care into action for the betterment of our community.

Justice: Our work is rooted in creating a more just society and caring for the vulnerable in our community. We want to create an environment at Gonzaga where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.