Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

Six students walk through an old stone archway at Arcadia University.

What is JEDI?

At Arcadia University, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) are infused in all that we do to create a welcoming environment for all. Our JEDI efforts foster anti-racism and anti-oppression actions that enhance the student experience, campus life, our curriculum, and our entire University community.

Opportunities and Actions toward Systemic Change

In September 2019, President Ajay Nair established a Commission on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) to leverage our diverse community, which included representation from students, faculty, staff, and University community members, and was tasked to explore and develop opportunities that help Arcadia evolve into a University that reflects the world in which its community members want to live.

The Commission’s goal was to harness our different perspectives to conduct a comprehensive review of Arcadia’s policies, practices, and campus climate to ensure each aligns with the University’s Vision and Lived Values, which led to the accountability of our initiatives and outcomes.

Taking Action Steps that Combat Anti-Black Racism

In June 2020, following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, President Nair announced action steps to support, protect, and improve the Arcadia experience.
The dozens of initiatives to Combat Anti-Black Racism (CABR) represent an essential and complex mix of efforts that will require sustained focus, collaboration, and courage.
Arcadia’s commitment to CABR impacts all members of our University community—from prospective and current students, to faculty and staff, alumni to leadership, and our donors, friends, and neighbors. View our latest report.
The ABRI work is anchored in the vision and aspirations embodied in the Arcadia 2025 Adaptive Strategy.

our INITIATIVES to CABR

Establishing the Office of Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

In July 2021, the Office of Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion was launched to provide leadership in creating equitable and inclusive learning and working communities where every person can thrive.
Led by Dr. Angela McNeil, the Office of AEDI and the University-wide AEDI Liaisons collaborate with departments, divisions, and individuals to advance Arcadia’s AEDI, ABRI, and JEDI efforts.
The Office is Arcadia’s primary resource for providing opportunities for training and developing faculty, staff, and students to enhance awareness and appreciation for difference.
AEDI provides direct support and advocacy for African American, Latino, Asian, and Native American (ALANA), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) students, faculty, and staff.

the office of aedi

Creating the Center for Antiracist Scholarship, Advocacy, and Action

In November 2021, the ABRI Project Team and the Provost’s Office announced the establishment of the Center for Antiracist Scholarship, Advocacy, and Action (CASAA).
The Center has three core goals that it aims to achieve in its efforts to become a leading advocate of antiracist thought and to act towards ensuring racial justice and equity. These goals are Pursuing Research, Providing Resources, and Building Community.
Learn more about the Center and how you can get involved through this important three-part Q&A series with CASAA’s founding director and associate director, Dr. Doreen Loury and Dr. Christopher Varlack, respectively.

Department Spotlight: Biology

In June 2020, after President Nair challenged the University to innovate ways to embrace CABR and JEDI efforts, the Department of Biology established the first of its milestones, which have grown to nearly 30. The milestones include dedicating a research award to students underrepresented in Biology, increasing retention and the number of students in the major, and training on revised hiring practices within the department. Expanding research opportunities and discussing the importance of research begins during new student orientation for the Department.

Learn More

Resources in Action

LOVE Pilot Program

The Living Our Values Experience (LOVE) program brings students, faculty, and staff together to study and develop practices and interconnections between structural systems of discrimination and oppression, including bias, stereotype, prejudice, microaggressions, privilege, and power.

Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR)

OECR is committed to promoting, supporting, and providing resources to sustain a living, learning, and working environment of diversity, equality, fairness, inclusion, and respect—where all members of the University community are valued.

Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentorship (CTLM)

The CTLM energizes and amplifies faculty, staff, and student efforts to support Arcadia’s innovative pedagogies and adaptive strategies.

Land Acknowledgement Statement: Summer 2021, a group of Arcadia faculty and staff participated in the annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, where many of the speakers recited a land acknowledgment statement honoring an indigenous community that once resided on the land of their institution prior to their lecture or presentation. Dr. Doreen Loury and Dr. Favian Martin led Arcadia's efforts to recognize the Lenape People who lived on the land that the University sits upon. They organized a working group of faculty and staff and agreed to contact the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania for guidance on our efforts to create the below land acknowledgment statement.

"The Lenape, whose name means “the original people,” are the first caretakers of the land upon which Arcadia University/Beaver College currently sits, and we continue to occupy. The Lenape people are victims of colonialism, genocide, and forced relocation. Therefore, we recognize the continued perseverance of the Lenape people through their adversity; and we honor their historical legacy and vibrant culture which continues to thrive today. We are committed to collaborating with the Lenape, as neighbors, partners, and friends in caretaking this land." — Arcadia University Land Acknowledgement Statement