Black Faculty & Staff Alliance
The Black Faculty & Staff Alliance is focused on the recruitment, retention, learning, and advancement of Black faculty and staff at the university. (Best for: faculty and staff)
Supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
St. Thomas is committed to providing a safe and supportive place for our students to live, learn and grow. It is our belief that we need diversity in order to have excellence. We embody our beliefs and they anchor our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all. We respect and value the pluralism of our community and we require that everyone here does the same. That starts with anti-bias training for all faculty, students and staff, but it doesn’t stop there. We have the heart, grit and resources (including our Intercultural Center) to make our campus, and world, better for everyone.
Resources Supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows
This cohort program is designed to address barriers to success facing Black male students with high financial need, with a preference to first-generation college students. It includes scholarship aid as well as mentorship, leadership development, and other supports. (Best for: undergrads)
Diversifying Minnesota's Teacher Workforce
The School of Education offers multiple programs that provide affordable and flexible pathways for prospective teachers of color to choose a career in education. (Best for: undergrads, grad students)
Diversity Activities Board
Organizes student-led events and activities in the areas of social justice, diversity, and inclusion. (Best for: undergrads)
Enlace
The mission of Enlace is to develop a network of faculty and staff within the St. Thomas community to promote the cultural diversity and professional development of its members, thereby creating a supportive environment for the Latinx community and contributing to the success of St. Thomas’s mission. (Best for: faculty and staff)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence Award
A one million-dollar, five-year grant to change the culture of our teaching, learning, and governance within science and math education. (Best for: undergrads, faculty)
Inclusive Classroom Institute
Offers opportunities to build awareness, gain understanding, and implement new pedagogical strategies to improve the learning climate for all students. (Best for: faculty)
Interprofessional Center
Students from the university's schools of Law, Professional Psychology and Social Work advance social justice by providing professional services for underserved individuals and communities. (Best for: undergrads, grad students, faculty, staff)
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD)
Provides support to enhance scholarly productivity and promote success for university professors with a specific focus on supporting faculty of color in predominantly white institutions. (Best for: faculty)
Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Provides leadership for building a more diverse, welcoming and inclusive community at St. Thomas. (Best for: undergrads, grad students, faculty, staff)
Racial Justice Initiative
Facilitates research, explores opportunities for community engagement, and sponsors critical conversations focused on history, race, and obstacles to progress. (Best for undergrads, grad students, faculty, staff)
Scholarships for Future Students
Multiple scholarship opportunities including several full-tuition scholarships. (Best for: undergrads)
Student Clubs
Builds networks of support through student-led groups promoting cultural awareness and dialogue. Search for one that matches your interest. (Best for: undergrads)
Student Diversity and Inclusion Services (SDIS)
Promotes student awareness and support for diversity, inclusion and social justice. (Best for: undergrads)
ThreeSixty Journalism
Inspires and teaches diverse Minnesota high school students to use multimedia storytelling to share the stores of their lives and communities. (Best for: high school students)
Working for Justice
Through the Center for the Common Good, engages the community in opportunities to take action. (Best for: undergrads, grad students, faculty, staff)
Action Plan to Combat Racism
Created in November 2018, the Action Plan to Combat Racism outlines a series of short- and long- term actions St. Thomas has committed to in its on-going efforts to combat racism. The plan addresses four broad areas:
- Support and stand with our students of color
- Teach, research and live inclusive excellence
- Send a clear message about our convictions
- Become a more diverse university
Anti-Racism actions and updates are shared on the (login required). Public news related to the plan is and shown below.
Anti-Racism Efforts from St. Thomas
February 29, 2024
The Â鶹´«Ã½ Athletics Department celebrated Black History Month with a variety of programming, including a discussion regarding the impact of athletics on the movements of equality and justice that took place Feb. 20 in the Schoenecker Arena at the Anderson Athletics and Recreation Complex. Facilitated by Dr. Yohuru Williams, Distinguished University Chair… The post Black History Month: Tommies Examine the Role of Sports in Breaking Down Barriers appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
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January 19, 2024
Six faculty from the Â鶹´«Ã½ co-authored a book chapter titled “We're All in: Fostering Inclusion and Belonging Through Culturally Sustaining and Anti-racist Pedagogy." The faculty include Dougherty Family College Associate Dean of Â鶹´«Ã½ Sarah McCann and Dr. Martha Alonzo-Johnsen, Anna Kurhajec and Amir Z. Mohamed also from the Dougherty Family College. They… The post St. Thomas Faculty Co-Authors Broaden Understanding for Inclusion and Belonging appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
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January 12, 2024
Sometimes a field trip is what’s needed to put history into perspective. Every January since 2013, a group of students at the Â鶹´«Ã½ have come together for the We March for Justice Civil Rights Study Tour. There’s something different about the 2024 trip, however. For the first time this year, older students… The post Civil Rights Study Tour Connects Generations appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
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November 22, 2023
During the academic year 2023-24, the College of Arts and Sciences at the Â鶹´«Ã½. is sponsoring a series of four on-campus events and two off-campus visits to sacred sites to learn more about Indigenous communities in Minnesota and the history of relations between especially the Dakota people and the Catholic Church. The… The post Series on Indigenous Relations Grapples With the History of University Land appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
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October 30, 2023
A conversation with Dr. Yohuru Williams, distinguished professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the Â鶹´«Ã½ in Minnesota, inspired reflection and action for those attending an on-campus event. Williams, who weaved in themes from his new book, More Than A Dream: The Radical March on Washington for… The post History Echoes: Racial Justice Initiative Sparks Urgency for Collective Action appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.