Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs | Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity & Multicultural Affairs

At High Point University, students, faculty, and staff all play a meaningful role in gifting our campus community with a diversity of identities, thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives. Our appreciation of human diversity and engagement of differences is a collective commitment throughout our campus brought forth by collaborative efforts. . The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs is dedicated to enriching the High Point University experi...

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diversity@highpoint.edu

Dr. Sherell Fuller

Sr. Director of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs

You Are Welcome Here

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING

High Point University considers a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as a core component of our mission and an essential ingredient to a holistic education in the liberal arts tradition. A liberal arts education develops critical thinkers, moving students from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. This approach to learning prepares students for reflective action in an interdependent and diverse world. We not only understand and respect the unique talents and perspectives of all individuals but we also embrace and utilize their contributions. Our breadth of inclusiveness creates a path by which all individuals can achieve their highest potential in an increasingly complex and pluralistic society.

We welcome and respect students, faculty, and staff of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, sexual identities, and gender expressions, abilities, classes, ages, and political ideas. We recognize that diversity also includes a range of geographic locations, communication styles, family makeup, educational background, military service, and other unique life experiences. To encourage diversity and inclusion, we endorse dynamic curricula and research agendas—through the university’s core education as well as all fields of study, programming, and community engagement—that include a multiplicity of views and perspectives.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not merely moral imperatives or societal goals, they can also be a competitive advantage. Our continued success as a university rests in our collective ability to embrace a multitude of opinions, ideas, and beliefs so that we can effectively educate the next generation of leaders who are culturally responsive, knowledgeable, and globally engaged. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging cultivates students’ desire for citizenship in complex global communities.

Dear HPU Family,

Welcome to HPU! I am excited to greet you as the Senior Director of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at High Point University! As a Premier Life Skills University, HPU has been a trailblazing force in preparing students for the world awaiting them, by not only focusing on the technical content and concepts needed in their respective fields, but also emphasizing those necessary skills needed to build relationships, effectively communicate, and engage in a diverse, global society.

I am a product of this Piedmont Region, spanning Southern Virginia and Northern North Carolina. I grew up in a very homogeneous environment with few diverse experiences. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging were not words I became familiar with until I went to college and found the beauty and power of real diversity. Though there were moments of discomfort and misunderstanding due to cognitive dissonance, that discomfort eventually transitioned into comfort, curiosity, and collegiality!

Part of my role here at HPU is to plan and implement programming related to cultural diversity and the HPU community with a vision to enhance a campus community that continues to embrace and value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This is an undertaking I take very seriously and am ready and equipped to build on a legacy of extraordinary excellence. Be on the lookout for engaging and informative workshops, seminars, conversations, and more for students, faculty, staff, and our entire HPU community. I encourage you to reach out with ideas for conversation starters and partnerships; together we can make a difference in our beloved community!

In our community, our diversity is our strength!

In solidarity and service!

Dr. Fuller

Our Commitment

Inclusion

At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people. Diversity and Multicultural Affairs is merely an extension of our university mission in that we are committed to fostering an inclusive learning and living community where human diversity is valued and celebrated. We strive to make this campus a place where every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or national origin, is able to call home.

Introspection

As growing leaders in a global world, self-awareness is a must. It is very important to lean into the ways our background, identity and experiences have shaped us. Diversity and Multicultural Affairs offers a range of trainings, workshops and events that encourage our campus community to consider who they are and how they engage difference and diversity on our campus and in our world.

Information

Curiosity and inquiry lead to lifelong learning. Diversity and Multicultural Affairs shapes informative opportunities and experiences for our students through partnerships with academic departments, administrative offices and community organizations. Students are given access to tools and information designed to increase their multicultural awareness, cultural competence and intercultural engagement.

Involvement

Diversity and Multicultural Affairs encourages student involvement and leadership in our multicultural organizations. These organizations are student-led, advised by our faculty/staff and fully supported by our office. We work closely together with our many groups to enhance multicultural life on our campus through connection and collaboration.

Diversity and Enrichment Track

The DET is grounded in four pillars: Awareness, Knowledge, Application and Reflection. These pillars align with Student Development Theory: Kolb’s Theory of Experiential Learning (1984). Kolb defined learning as “the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience.” (Evans et al. 2010) The DET is designed to provide participants with a large variety of experiences to cultivate knowledge and integrate cultural awareness into their personal and professional lives.

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We as a university have done well in supporting our faculty and staff over the years. But today, in an era where colleges and universities are competing constantly for talent, we need to be more diligent to attract and retain a more rich and more diverse work force. Benefits from doing so can help begin scholarly discussions to organic conversations, create activities that can help our underrepresented minority groups build connections, find mentors and establish a support system on campus. As a result of this, we then can attract and retain a more rich and more diverse work force. With an established diverse workforce, we can also attract and retain a more diverse student body because they will see people who look like them on campus and establish an even stronger sense of community. Meanwhile, these actions will build an even stronger connection with our alumni and HPU supporters because they will see what we’ve always done – step up and step out to accomplish great things.

An institution that reflects the demographic makeup of our student body and workforce is a great way to help address disparities within our learning and working community. At High Point University, we seek to increase a diverse student body as well as our workforce. Over the years we have seen growth and now desire to be more strategic in our approach in recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive community. Our growth in funding and resources will be necessary to achieve our goals toward diversity and inclusion. This is a crucial step in enhancing our mission, vision, and values which impacts our campus community and beyond.

Our growth in understanding various aspects of diversity and inclusion is something that should be continually demonstrated in how we engage and interact with one another. Our learning and development around diversity and inclusion should be evident in how we recruit, retain, and educate the HPU community. Specific steps toward enhancing a more inclusive environment would entail ongoing training for our faculty and staff as well as efforts in building upon our curriculum for our student learning in the classroom. Embracing and growing in our learning allows our conversations and engagement with one another to be less transactional and become more transformational.

We are High Point’s university. We see it in the 110,000 volunteer hours our students, faculty, and staff give every year in the city of High Point. We tutor children, mentor children, feed families, energize neighborhoods, and tend to patients who can’t afford healthcare and ease their financial burden and physical pain. These are all strong stories about who we are as a university. But I want to look for ways to get these stories out and share even more about who we are and what we do.

We as a university believe in social justice, and we have worked hard to change what we see around us –– the inequities of education, hunger, healthcare and so much more. We do provide an extraordinary education to our students. But we also provide extraordinary service to the greater High Point community. By telling our stories, we can show our community that we as an institution champion the need for diversity and inclusion. In doing so, we’ll establish strong connections with our neighbors and build a greater sense of trust. We work together as partners and create what we all believe in – making High Point an even better place to live.

What is the purpose of the DET?

The DET is designed to challenge and educate participants on the concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and how to recognize and combat prejudices and oppression. Diversity expertise is not housed in just one area. Office across campus, including Global Education, Diversity & Inclusion, and Career & Professional Development (CPD) collaborate and provide expertise.

Who can participate in the DET?

The DET is open to all HPU students (undergraduate and graduate)!

How long does it take to complete the DET?

The DET is designed to be completed in 2-4 years. There are 2-,3-, and 4-year tracks available. However, you can adjust or modify your plan according to your future goals; it is common for participants to not be able to attend any events during one of their enrolled semesters due to academic or extracurricular obligatios.

What are (Un)Common Grounds Conversations?

(Un)Common Grounds are designed to invite challenging and transformative conversations at the intersections of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, disability, and other topics that involve humanity. This space engages attendees to explore their own cultural identities, understand the experiences of others, critically examine social systems, and actively work towards a more just world.

What are Elective Experiences?

Elective Experiences are your opportunities for autonomous community engagement. Participants can visit museums, and cultural festivals, study abroad, or complete coursework focused on diverse identities. Other experiences can be discussed with the Director of Multicultural Affairs.

Why do some Elective Experiences have higher values than others?

Participants to study abroad, complete coursework, or enroll in a Maymester dedicate more time and energy to their engagement, while also gaining a multitude of experiences. Therefore, these experiences are awarded a higher value than those that only require brief interactions or one-hour training.

I took a diversity course before enrolling in the DET. Does that count as an Elective Experience?

Participants that have experiences in the prior academic year can transfer them to their DET path. They will need to meet with the Director of Multicultural Affairs to discuss transfer and fulfillment.

How do I know if my experiences meet the criteria for the DET?

Any experiences or events found on HPUConnect that are under the “Cultural” Theme or “DET” Category meet the criteria. For experiences outside of HPUConnect, participants can discuss with the Director of Multicultural Affairs to determine the criteria.

What do I receive when I complete the DET?

Participants that complete all criteria and present their capstone reflection will obtain a Certificate of Cultural Competence. The Offices of Multicultural Affairs and Career & Professional Development collaborate to prepare certified participants on how to effectively promote and distinguish themselves from other candidates as they interview for careers.

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