EDI Statements

SOE EDI Vision Statement

As a School of Education, we value and promote a diverse and inclusive community that fosters equitable, just, and flourishing environments where all can find a sense of belonging. We embrace and promote our differences and uniqueness, as it is through this diversity that we find our greatest success. We strive to cultivate an environment that affords each individual the opportunities, supports, and resources needed for their success and well-being. We foster an environment where every individual contributes to the impact of our organization. Through these principles we stand united against any form of intolerance, discrimination, hate, violence, and any systemic and structural inequity. We are ever reflective*, ever growing, and ever responsive to these principles. These principles are foundational to (a) the educational experiences we provide our students, (b) the advances in knowledge and practice generated through our research, (c) the policies and procedures guiding our work and self-governance, (d) our service to the university and the broader community, and (e) our daily engagement with one another.

*Our use of “reflective” here is intended to engage a deeper interrogation of power, access, and privilege.

Equity Statement

The School of Education unequivocally stands and works against the hatred, violence, and lack of access produced and perpetuated by white supremacy. The current national landscape has exposed the deep entrenchment of inequity in many of its institutional pillars, law enforcement, health care, education, and social services. As educators we are critically aware of our part, our larger responsibility to shape the educational experiences of our students and to improve the environment/culture we inhabit. We have work to do. This work is anti-many injustices, the work is deep and networked as we revise policies, curriculum, pedagogy, program offerings, operations and culture. We are committed to improving what we do and recognizing the labor required to achieve equity plus justice. Some of this work is already in place, yet the stories we create and the ones we contribute to are not about an arrival, our work is continual, one that must be responsive to everyone in our community, and most importantly to the change in society we endeavor to create.

Gender Diversity Statement

The School of Education, in collaboration with LEARN’s Gender Diversity Working Group, is committed to affirming the lives of and promoting social justice for Trans and Non-Binary people. We have created a comprehensive toolkit to support gender diverse students.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we gather and within the boundaries of the U.S. state of North Carolina is the site of past and present indigenous peoples. Those tribes and/or nations include: Bear River/Bay River, Cape Fear, Catawba, Chowanoke, Coree/Coranine, Creek, Croatan, Eno, Hatteras, Keyauwee, Machapunga, Moratoc, Natchez, Neusiok, Pamlico, Shakori, Sara/Cheraw, Sissipahaw, Sugeree, Wateree, Weapemeoc, Woccon, Yadkin, and Yeopim.

North Carolina recognizes eight tribes that currently occupy this region. They include the Coharie, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Saponi, Haliwa Saponi, Waccamaw Siouan, Sappony, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

We are honored and grateful to gather on this land, and we respect the indigenous peoples of this region.  

We encourage others to create their own land acknowledgement. Learn how to do so by following this link.