AOCI
We aim to create a transformative impact in the lives of our community members, celebrating the unique differences and shared similarities that enrich us all.
Carnegie Mellon University and the Dietrich College for Humanities and Social Sciences value a dynamic and diverse community where all members are responsible for contributing to an inclusive environment.
Vision & Values
The Dietrich College values academic environments where all community members feel welcome, appreciated and positioned to thrive because:
- diverse institutions function better than homogenous ones; and
- equal opportunity for all is a moral imperative.
The college strives to promote a culture of respect, scholarship, innovation and integrity as we advance talented minds from every background. We aim to achieve these goals by implementing concrete practices at the center of our daily work that minimize bias and support inclusion and cultural competence, by holding ourselves accountable to show progress and by attending to and revising these practices relentlessly.
In the Dietrich College, students, faculty and staff have opportunities to learn from one another, as well as from myriad cultural and academic resources. We challenge ourselves to consider the experiences and perspectives of others, engage and create meaningful connections to communities beyond our campus. By harnessing our abilities as researchers, thinkers and educators, the Dietrich College will embrace difference and celebrate the richness of our culture.
Community Connections & Learning
At Dietrich College, we each have a role in building an inclusive, equitable and just community. Explore fellowships, awards, learing resources and more for Dietrich students, staff, faculty and the greater Pittsburgh community.
Better Together Learning Academy
The Better Together Learning Academy is one approach to providing the staff in our community with the tools to learn. The list of learning blocks was assembled based on staff interest. These learning blocks are self-paced and will guide you through your self-awareness and reflection to become an advocate in building a college that fosters a sense of belonging for everyone.
Staff Community Excellence Award
The Dietrich College Staff Community Excellence Award is a college-level award recognizing individuals who regularly go above and beyond expectations to create a more inclusive and welcoming community.
Outreach & Engagement
Dietrich College faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in the college's outreach and engagement efforts, strengthen existing partnerships, and share knowledge and resources.
Apply for Funding
The AOCI Office supports initiatives, programs or events that promote access, opportunity and community outreach within the Dietrich College and greater Pittsburgh communities. Strong preference is given to requests that demonstrate potential for lasting or broad benefit. All funding is subject to the resources currently available to AOCI.
Leadership, Excellence, Access, Persistence (LEAP)
LEAP is an educational program that uses storytelling to empower under-resourced high school students to become agents of social change. This year-round program provides a supportive learning environment in which students are paid learn with local artists, activists, and scholars who are working to create positive change in the world. Learn more about LEAP.
Arts Greenhouse
Arts Greenhouse is an arts and humanities education program that fosters the expressive and intellectual development of Pittsburgh’s youth. By providing safe spaces and proactive platforms for collective creativity, the goal is to promote a balance of self-expression with activities that emphasize the collective nature of all artistic creation.
University Resources
The Rales Fellows Program is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of STEM leaders and driving innovation by increasing access to life-changing graduate education by removing financial barriers to obtaining advanced degrees.
FocusU training and awareness resources are available to all members of the university community.
Bias and ethics reporting are important to all Carnegie Mellon University community members. Each of us has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance and report suspected bias incidents and unethical or illegal behavior.
Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion cultivates a strong, diverse and inclusive community capable of embodying these values and advancing research, creativity, learning and development that changes the world.
Counseling and Psychological Services provides a safe, confidential environment for students to talk about personal and academic concerns.
The Office of Disability Resources provides responsive and reasonable accommodations to students who self-identify as having a disability, including physical, sensory, cognitive and emotional disabilities.
The Office of Disability Services for Faculty and Staff assists with job accommodations, digital and physical accessibility and resources for short- and long-term conditions.
Support and assistance programs for faculty and staff include the Employee Assistance Program, Carelink, Family and Childcare Resources, and LGBTQ+ Resources.
Progress Highlights
The list below highlights a number of concrete steps the college has taken to make Dietrich a place where people of all identities, perspectives and experiences feel welcome, able to present their authentic selves and empowered to reach their full potential.
The Dietrich College created the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee to facilitate communication and provide accountability.
The Dietrich College faculty search committees are committed to hiring new faculty members to expand the scope of research and learning in the college that reflects the interests of our scholars.
Carnegie Mellon University has expanded professional development opportunities for staff focused on civility and community connections.
The Dietrich College is committed to making our college accessible to the Pittsburgh community through the LEAP program and the Arts Greenhouse.
Dietrich College has welcomed several cohorts for the Dietrich Scholars Fellowship. The Dietrich Scholars Fellowship is an exemplary group of scholars pursuing degrees in the humanities and social sciences. It provides a pathway to success through financial support, opportunities to expand networks and professional development.
Dietrich College is leveraging the general education curriculum to enable students to choose from a wide array of courses which explore intercultural and global inquiry.