Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence
The Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence advances initiatives to ensure that a framework of equity and inclusion undergirds every Bucknellian's experience. In collaboration with the Division of Talent, Culture & Human Resources, our office oversees the staff/faculty equity educational curriculum, policy work and University initiatives related to inclusivity, and the staff/faculty affinity groups for underrepresented employees at Bucknell. This includes improving accessibility for high-impact practices that support inclusion and belonging and promoting professional development so that all students, faculty and staff can thrive.
Justice is an organizing principle of our work. We define justice as the collective practice of building equitable systems while respecting individual lived experiences and repairing past and current harms with the goal of thriving and belonging for all.
GenFirst! Program
GenFirst provides programming and resources for student who are the first members of their family to graduate from a four-year college or university.
Staff/Faculty Affinity Groups
The Division of Equity & Inclusive Excellence manages staff/faculty affinity groups for individuals from underrepresented groups and with unique experiences and needs. These groups include:
| Caregivers Network | Disabled Staff & Faculty |
| Faculty & Staff of Color | Gender Equity Network |
| International Staff & Faculty | Jewish Staff & Faculty |
| LGBT |
These groups serve as a critical form of community-building for individuals from underrepresented groups as well as a demonstration of institutional investment in building and supporting an inclusive community. Additionally, a significant outgrowth of these affinity groups is to create intentional spaces to facilitate connection and the sharing of experiences among members. Individual affinity-based gatherings vary and can take the form of meals, celebrations and informal/formal conversations and range in attendance from five to more than 50 participants.
For more information about joining or participating in an affinity group, contact eie@bucknell.edu.
Diversity Symposium
Each fall, the Diversity Symposium positions the entire campus community to come together in various ways to learn and to teach about diversity and inclusion issues that impact our campus, our local communities and beyond.
Dignity & Dialogue Circles
New Program
Bucknell University is launching Dignity & Dialogue Circles for the 2024-2025 academic year to encourage meaningful conversations and foster a more inclusive and empathetic campus environment. The initiative aims to create a space where dignity, collaboration and empathy can thrive.