Inclusion & Belonging


Students at International Jayhawk Festival
first year experience LGBTQ club students at hawk week
Student taking selfie at Be You at KU event

We in the School of Education and Human Sciences believe that inclusion and belonging are vital to our success – specifically, our teaching, advising, mentoring, research, and service functions. As members of a university and the larger community, we value diverse viewpoints and knowledge, which requires a respectful, inclusive, and caring culture. We recognize that growing numbers of our community represent minoritized populations whose voices and perspective enrich our community. We assert that all faculty, staff and students must be treated with respect, feel safe in their classes, offices and other workspaces, and be supported in carrying out their studies and work.

KU Strategic Plan

The School of Education and Human Sciences aligns with the goals and commitments as described in the University of Kansas strategic plan.




Goals & Commitments

  • Diversity in curriculum, research & service

    Commit to support research on issues related to inclusion and belonging, and to train students to work with, teach, and serve individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

  • A diverse campus community

    Reflect the society that it serves, and thus we are committed to fostering diversity among students and faculty. Programs reflect our goal to promote a diverse community.

  • A positive & diverse campus climate

    Create a climate that respects and celebrates differences in background and life experiences, including differences in ability, age, ethnic and racial heritage, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background.

  • Outreach & community engagement

    Provide a wide range of professional services to schools and other institutions. Programs promote educational opportunity for diverse youth.

  • Collective work

    Commit to collective input, participation, and expertise from all members of our School of Education and Human Sciences community.

  • Transform language

    Allow for opportunities to create goals, evaluate progress, be open to conversations about implicit bias, and to transform practices that foster inclusion and reflection. Commit to activities that forward the equity of all persons.

  • Funding Support

    The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging provides funding for the professional development of students, staff, or faculty in the form of books, travel, conference fees, or training opportunities. Inclusion and belonging supports faculty, staff, and students who seek to increase their personal fluency in diversity, equity, and inclusion.



Partners in Inclusion and Belonging

KU student models

Beach Center on Disability

The center’s research include assistive technology, disability policy, family-professional partnerships, family quality of life, health care, foster care and adoption, positive behavior support, and self-determination.
student walking near lilacs

Center for Educational Opportunity Programs

Programs provide support for academic, financial, social, and career goals to students and families by partnering with KU, Kansas school districts, and communities within counties in the Midwestern region.
young Afro-American men standing together

MSP Scholars Program

A unique program developed to recruit and support undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds into various academic majors as a means of increasing the diversity of the student body at KU.
Students in conversation

Professional Development Schools Alliance

An active partnership between the School of Education and Human Sciences and multiple public schools in four school districts surrounding the campus in Lawrence, Kansas.



Inclusion & Belonging Awards

The School of Education and Human Sciences administers this annual award for current faculty who has contributed to teaching and/or scholarship and/or service with a focus on intersectional diversity.

  • For teaching: Development and implementation of effective strategies for teaching that advance understanding of intersectionality in inclusion and belonging in the field of instruction and/or for advancing the education of students from underrepresented groups in the field of instruction and to include activities such as classroom instruction; direction of independent study, theses and dissertations; and mentoring;
  • For research/scholarship: Knowledge that advances understanding of intersectionality in inclusion and belonging in the field of study and/or has the potential to improve the quality of life among underrepresented groups in the field of study; and/or
  • For service: Activities that promote the professional and/or academic advancement of underrepresented groups in the applicant's field of study; contributions to diversity and equitable opportunity in the university through activities such as recruitment and mentoring of faculty and students; activities that promote the well-being of underrepresented communities in the applicant’s field of study.

Award Winners

  • 2020: Eugene Parker, Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies