About the DEI Action Group

Purpose and Process

The DEI Action Group was formed and charged with three primary goals:

• Advancing access and equity
• Recruiting and retaining a diverse student body and workforce
• Supporting an inclusive campus culture

The group was tasked with examining student life, recruitment and retention, curricular and extracurricular programming, experiential learning opportunities, inclusive teaching practices, and policies and procedures with the goal of determining opportunities to create a culture of awareness and inclusion. Utilizing the data-driven New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE) Self-Assessment Rubric for the Institutionalization of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education, as well as a climate survey administered to faculty, staff and students, the group formed seven subcommittees to examine, assess and provide recommendations in the following areas:

• Philosophy and Mission
• Faculty Support
• Curriculum
• Staff Support
• Student Support
• Administrative Leadership
• External Affairs and Community Partnerships

The LeBow DEI Action Group also collaborated with the Drexel University Anti-Racism Task Force, as well as other University partners focused on inclusive, equitable and diverse initiatives to ensure consistency and share resources.

Initial Work Phases

Phase I: Assessment:

After conducting a thorough review of the current state of diversity, equity and inclusion at LeBow, the DEI Action Group presented its Phase I Assessment to the Dean, the LeBow community and additional stakeholders in September 2020.

Phase II: Recommendations:

Following this assessment, the subcommittees developed actionable recommendations based on their findings. The group identified specific strategies to accomplish this vision, and these recommendations focus on five areas: inclusive culture, recruitment & retention, curriculum & research, learning & professional development, transparency & accountability and external relationships & community partnerships.

Ongoing DEI Action Group Work

After the original Philosophy and Mission was developed and the leadership structure designed, the ongoing committees were created:

• Inclusive Culture
• Recruitment and Retention
• Curriculum and Research
• Learning and Professional Development
• Transparency and Accountability
• External Relationships and Community Partnerships

The committees are led by a mixture of faculty and staff and meet on a regular basis throughout the year to develop, implement and monitor continuous progress on Drexel LeBow College of Business Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals.

DEI Action Group Members and Subcommittees

After conducting a thorough assessment of the current state of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at LeBow, the DEI Action Group formed seven subcommittees to examine, assess and provide recommendations in the following areas: