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Our Approach

Since 2015, when the campus community called on presidential leadership to partner in the creation of a five-year strategic plan focused on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, a framework was created to support and implement the strategic plan across the university. It included the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, foundational programs, leadership, infrastructure and a reporting process. This framework continues as we move forward in our DEI 2.0 efforts.

Martino Harmon speaking to students
Katrina Wade-Golden headshot

Katrina Wade-Golden — Deputy Chief Diversity Officer (ODEI)

"The DEI 2.0 Plan provides an opportunity for the University of Michigan to expand on the work established over the course of DEI 1.0. After a comprehensive evaluation process, we are now able to provide a plan that is data-informed and develops achievable strategies that are value-driven and propel us forward in our efforts to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive university."

Elements of our Approach

Core areas representing our continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

DEI 2.0 Year 1

DEI 2.0 Launch

DEI 2.0 Planning

DEI 1.0 Evaluation

DEI 1.0 Year 5

DEI 1.0 Year 4

DEI 1.0 Year 3

DEI 1.0 Year 2

DEI 1.0 Launch

DEI 1.0 Announced

2024

DEI 2.0 Year 1: Building on Momentum and Expanding Programs

During Year One, support continued for an array of innovative and highly effective programs. In addition, university units implemented a wide range of ambitious new projects. The Campuswide Action Items and Unit Spotlights, highlighted throughout this report, have emerged from ongoing community engagement efforts and themes that address gaps and provide equitable and inclusive resources.

2023

DEI 2.0 Launched

The DEI 2.0 Plan will reflect the many voices of our University, which will enable us to continue to cultivate strong, informed DEI strategies. DEI 2.0 is our commitment to build on the growth effort that began with DEI 1.0. The DEI 2.0 plan is intended to advance our tripartite goals of diversity, equity and inclusion. While distinct, these goals are both synergistic and overlapping, and thus strategies to support them similarly overlap.

2022-2023

Developing the DEI 2.0 Plan

U-M leadership commits to establishing the next DEI plan. Findings from the DEI 1.0 evaluation period helped guide a year-long planning phase in 2022. The U-M community weighs in on its creation through 200+ engagement events and the input of thousands of students, faculty, and staff. A university plan emerges for support and focus with 51 unit plans included.

2021

DEI 1.0 Evaluation

Our DEI efforts will continue unabated. With the conclusion of the initial five-year DEI Strategic Plan, we began a year-long evaluation process in which central- and unit-level content and actions from DEI 1.0 were thoroughly assessed.

2020

Focusing on Anti-racism and Prioritizing Health During the Pandemic

Efforts build on the foundation of progress and continuing needs, while refocusing our commitment to anti-racism and prioritizing health and safety and the disparate impact of COVID-19. We faced ongoing challenges that only deepened our commitment to achieving our vision of a diverse, equitable and inclusive campus.

2019

Supporting the Campus Response to COVID-19

Progress continues to grow for programs focused on college access, affordability and student success and 98% of faculty and staff completed a gender-based and sexual misconduct awareness module. As the pandemic unfolded, DEI efforts shifted to remote formats and DEI was a focus in the campus response to COVID-19. National unrest over police brutality and systemic racism deepened our commitment to achieving our DEI goals.

2018

Implementation and Evaluation of Programs

Our focus was on implementation: doing the daily work of creating long-term change throughout the university. Leadership began putting systems in place for early evaluation of DEI-related programs at both the central campus and unit levels.

2017

DEI Integrated Into Structures and Processes

DEI continues to be embedded in the structures and processes of the university including faculty and staff recruitment, student recruitment and student success, professional development for executive leaders, and annual faculty and staff evaluation.

2016

Central Units Roll Out Plans, DEI Office Established

Campus units roll out and begin implementing nearly 2,000 action items outlined in unit DEI plans—along with the initial 34 campuswide central action items—formed to address the goals outlined in the university’s Five-Year Strategic Plan. A central office for DEI is established and DEI operational funding is included in the university’s annual budget process, and U-M’s first campus climate survey is conducted.

2015

DEI Initiative Announced

University leadership announces diversity, equity, and inclusion across U-M as one of its key priorities and that a Five-Year Strategic Plan will be developed to evaluate it and advance it.