Transformational Strands
Northwestern University’s Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion Transformational STRANDS
The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion utilizes STRANDS as both a metaphor and framework for advancing diversity and inclusion at Northwestern University.
The four intertwined strands of ACCESS, EQUITY, ENRICHMENT, and WELLBEING guide the focus of our work through the development and implementation of strategic equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives across the university
We view the imagery of STRANDS as one that invokes flexibility, creativity, and connectedness, which are critical elements needed to activate our campus community and transform our campus culture in order to create a Northwestern that is accessible, equitable, enriching and supports the well-being of all.
ACCESS EQUITY ENRICHMENT WELLBEING
ACCESS
OIDI works across the university to identify and develop solutions to persistent and uneven access, retention, and advancement of underrepresented and marginalized faculty, staff and students
EQUITY
OIDI harnesses both the historic legacy and contemporary university context to redress the persistence of inequality and promotes policies, procedures and practices that mitigate structural inequities.
ENRICHMENT
OIDI advances the intellectual mission of the university by bringing to light practices and structures that reframes our center of knowing within the University’s learning, teaching, research, artistic and professional environments.
WELLBEING
OIDI draws upon our mission to activate a university-wide commitment that places the well-being of our faculty, staff and students as key priorities for a diverse and inclusive University.
STRANDS are identifiable and flexible
STRANDS build, create, reinforce, weave, cohere, intertwine
STRANDS embody diversity and unity; the single, the interconnected and the whole
STRANDS appear in braids, baskets, rugs, cables for bridges, sweaters; tassels; and DNA
The four STRANDS of OIDI animate the collective diversity and inclusion work of Northwestern University.
We invite you to explore our website and learn more about our work.
- Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Learn more about our office vision and mission. - History
View a timeline illustrating some of the wide-reaching programs and initiatives Northwestern has launched in the last two decades. - Leadership commitment
Read a statement from Northwestern University's president and provost. - Staff
Find telephone numbers and email addresses for our staff. - Contact us
Find telephone numbers and email addresses for our office, or sign up for our listserv.