You Belong Here.
Whatever your race, national origin, religion, beliefs, age, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation or disability status, you belong here.
We will respect and honor your perspective and the richness you add to our campus culture.
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is committed to fostering an inclusive campus that is equitable for all students, faculty and staff.
We know that navigating the complexities of a diverse community can be challenging. We offer trainings, resources and programs that educate, inform and support.
Our UToledo Diversity Plan outlines our core values and how we will move forward to strengthen our campus community.
We have seen the fruits of this plan with increased retention and graduation rates
for underrepresented minority students.
Support
Student organizations and groups for faculty and staff allow for open dialogue. Campus offices offer support and advocacy services.
Educate
Our trainings and programming increase awareness and understanding of cross-cultural issues. The more we know, the better we’ll do.
inform
Our faculty recognize the importance of data-driven policies to promote social justice. Their research addresses inequities in policing, education, healthcare and more.
culture of care
One of the things we are most proud of at UToledo is our willingness to confront hard issues head-on. To have constructive, meaningful dialogue and to shape change.
- Our students advocate for social justice. They have organized peaceful protests, contributed to feminine hygiene product drives and sponsored kneel-ins in support of Black Lives Matter.
- UToledo leaders created a Center for Racial Equity and Black Student Excellence to support the academic experiences of African American students.
- The 2020 killing of George Floyd by a police officer sparked the start of a series entitled Dialogues on Diversity. Students, faculty and staff, and community members come together virtually for honest conversation. Topics range from the effects of microaggressions on our campus community to how to stop AAPI hate.
Learn more about how our faculty support our commitment to equity and inclusion in our Championing Inclusion and Confronting Racism series.
Meet Bria Harris and Chinelo Ezenwelu
Harris and Ezenwelu placed fifth and won $1,000 in the 2021 KeyBank Minority M.B.A. Student Case Competition. The judges praised the team’s innovative solution.
The judges also noted: “This team was the only team to mention the impacts of COVID-19, and the mention of Diversity and Inclusion and ensuring that low- to moderate-income communities are not left out of this solution demonstrates an understanding of Key’s commitment to D and I and the need in the current landscape.”
Read MoreMeet Navindi Weerasinghe
Class of 2018, biology with a concentration in neuroscience and minor in psychology, Colombo, Sri Lanka
“I work with a diverse population and with colleagues from around the world. I have no trouble connecting to anyone because of what I experienced at UToledo. We had students of all backgrounds. The seeds of diversity, equity and inclusion were planted in me at UToledo. And it meant the world to me to be ‘adopted’ by an American family through a program at the Center for International Studies and Programs.”
Meet Jannet Frias
Class of 2022, special education, Immokalee, Fla.
“I was nervous when I came to Toledo. But I feel completely at home. A summer program for multicultural students helped me make new friends. And there’s so much to do, so many organizations and diversity, it’s easy to meet people and connect.”