Equity & Inclusive Excellence at Goucher
Seen. Supported. Celebrated!
Mission
Grounded in love, humanity, and education, Equity and Inclusive Excellence engages the Goucher community and transforms the student experience to further our college principles of service and social justice.
Diversity Statement
We at Goucher College are dedicated to social justice, diversity, and multiculturalism as fundamental components of our mission and ethos. We champion an inclusive community, embrace and respect different perspectives, and value diversity in all its forms and intersections, including ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, nationality, race, religious and spiritual belief, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Understanding that power, privilege, and other forces of inequality play a role in shaping our individual and collective experiences and identities, we are committed to productive dialogue and meaningful action in addressing our differences. We approach this ongoing work with courage, integrity, care, and respect.
Why Equity & Inclusive Excellence?
All students wonder how they'll fit in at college:
- Will I be the only student from my background?
- Will anyone understand where I'm coming from?
- Will my culture be represented in courses and campus activities?
- To whom will I turn to for support?
At Goucher, we affirm and support the identities of all our students. Please see the sidebar for information and resources to help you connect with different affinity groups.
Programs & Offices
The Division of Equity and Inclusive Excellence includes these programs and offices:
Center for Race Equity & Identity (CREI)
The Center for Race, Equity, and Identity (CREI) transforms lives through community building, education, engagement, and the exploration of identities. We strive to improve the institutional advancement of all marginalized students, specifically students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, and disabled students/students with disabilities.
Religious & Spiritual Life
The Office of Religious & Spiritual Life seeks to support the students, faculty, and staff at Goucher College in living a whole-hearted and connected life. Our Chaplain, along with Religious Advisors to the College, are available to members of our community to offer spiritual counseling, support with religious accommodations, services for major holidays, and opportunities for deep conversation and connection.
Launch Scholars Network
The LAUNCH Scholars Network is a cohort-based, comprehensive four-year initiative designed for first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students. This program facilitates a smooth transition into college life, offers ongoing support throughout their academic journey, equips them with essential skills and opportunities for future career endeavors, and fosters a lifelong network extending far beyond graduation. The LAUNCH Scholars Network is led by director Melissa Alexander, a member of the Goucher Community since 2021.
Title IX
The Office of Title IX at Goucher is committed to cultivating and sustaining a campus culture free from gender-based harm violence and grounded in healthy, pleasure-centered relationship practices.
The Office of Title IX is led by Kirsten Wood. You can schedule an appointment with Kirsten at any time using the Office of Title IX’s Bookings page. The Office of Title IX manages the Policy Against Discrimination & Harassment, which replaced both our Sexual Misconduct and Non-Discrimination policies and their corresponding procedures. A crucial detail to note about this update is that we will now be adjudicating all allegations of bias, discrimination and harassment using the single-investigator procedural model, which is outlined in the policy. You can submit a report of bias, discrimination or harassment at online at any time through our website.
Resources