Strategic Plan 2023–2025

Measuring Success: Objective 4 Inclusive Excellence

students celebrating their diversity

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Objective 4: Advancing Knowledge through Research Entrepreneurship, and Creative Endeavors

Diversity of cultures, abilities, ideas, backgrounds, and experiences that enrich the academic and professional environment. Attracting and retaining a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty through an inclusive excellence lens will enhance the educational experiences provided and strengthen the communities we serve.

We will achieve this objective through the following strategies.

 

Strategy 1: Create an inclusive campus environment that is nurturing, supportive, and welcoming for all students, faculty, and staff

october 1, 2024 updates:
  • The 9th Amigos Latinos Gala, the signature fundraiser supporting the mission and work of the Latino Center at Wright State University, was held on Saturday, October 5th, in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. This sold-out event featured festive music, dancing, awards, and various Latino dishes, all of which support Latino/Hispanic student success at Wright State. Scholarships totaling $22,000 were awarded to deserving students, furthering their educational journeys. The event also recognized faculty, staff, students, and community partners who have made a significant impact on the Latino/Hispanic community at Wright State. 
July 1, 2024 updates:
  • The Women of Wright State initiative was launched in Spring 2024 to highlight and celebrate the contributions of women students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners on campus and beyond. The honorees are champions who model an inclusive and equitable campus and community. The inaugural cohort consists of two students, two staff members, two faculty members, two alumni, and two community partners, chosen based on suggestions and nominations from colleagues.
january 1, 2024 updates:

  • The Wright State University Police Department completed the "One Mind Campaign," a training program focused on successful interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health conditions and intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Department also established partnerships with mental health providers to assist with responses to services calls and support improved outcomes.

October 1, 2023 updates:
  • Work commenced on the university's Strategic Inclusive Excellence Plan. Inclusion Officers will develop their college’s strategic inclusive excellence plan to tie into the University’s overall Strategic Inclusive Excellence Plan. Inclusive excellence focus groups have been held with several identity groups and will continue throughout the fall.
April 1, 2023 updates:
  • Wright State University has partnered with the USC Race and Equity Center, to administer the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates (NACCC) Faculty, Staff and Student Surveys. The NACCC is an assessment of campus racial climates, and the surveys are an effort to help us gauge our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that will ultimately assist us in improving our strategic diversity initiatives going forward.  The Faculty Survey was launched on November 15, 2022, and closed on December 15, 2022.  The Staff Survey was launched on March 7, 2023, and closed on April 4, 2023. The Student Survey was launched on March 28, 2023, and will close on April 25, 2023.  The results from the surveys will be available in Summer 2023.
     
  • The Division of Inclusive Excellence is working on creating an annual inclusive excellence report that each area on campus will complete once a year that will highlight each area's inclusive excellence efforts.  This report will include a template to capture this information.  For each academic year, the goal will be to chronicle and compile this information into one report that will be housed on the Inclusive Excellence website.  Any interested university stakeholder can look to see what the University is doing campus wide as it relates to our inclusive excellence efforts.
     
  • The Division of Inclusive Excellence is partnering with the University Libraries' Inclusive Excellence team to advise the University Libraries on all aspects of inclusive excellence applicable to the work of the University Libraries to create and sustain a welcoming and accessible environment for all.
     


Strategy 2: Develop a robust plan to recruit and retain students from underrepresented minoritized populations (URMs), locally, regionally, and in other untapped markets

october 1, 2024 updates:
  • Through various recruitment initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, and transformative summer programs, the Latino Center has achieved milestones in student enrollment and retention at Wright State. First-year Latino/Hispanic student enrollment increased by 46%, nearly doubling compared to the previous year, while the overall Latino student population saw a substantial 30% increase from Fall 2023. For the first time in a decade, Hispanic/Latino retention rates have surpassed the university’s overall retention average at a rate of over 71% of our Fall 2023 cohort, marking a remarkable 16% improvement from the prior year. These achievements reflect the Latino Center's commitment to fostering representation, enhancing educational access, and ensuring long-term Latino/Hispanic student success on our campus.
July 1, 2024 updates:
  • A new position has been established to bridge the Division of Inclusive Excellence and the Division of Enrollment Management. This role will build connections within the campus community and foster meaningful interactions to recruit and enroll new students, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented populations in higher education.
  • The Latino Center hosted two successful summer programs that equipped approximately 40 local middle and high school students with strategies for college success and career readiness. The camps have STEM-focus with  and share what Wright State can offer Latino students.
April 1, 2023 updates:
  • Wright State and Dayton Public Schools officially launched their partnership in February 2024 with weekly engagement between our Director of Strategic Resources and Partnerships  and Belmont High School and Thurgood Marshall High School students. Those students in the incoming Take Flight cohort were also invited to tour campus and experience April Craze, a premier student engagement event.
January 1, 2024 updates:
  • Wright State University signed an agreement with Dayton Public Schools to cover tuition for up to 20 eligible students annually from Belmont High School and Thurgood Marshall High School through the university's Take Flight Program. The program provides full tuition, technology resources, and dedicated support services for academically accomplished students with financial need.
October 1, 2023 updates:
  • The University Center for International Education launched the Institute of International Education Inc. grant program in fall 2023 with eight US Passport awards provided thus far.  A total of 25 first-year, Pell-eligible students who meet diversity-identity characteristics will receive an award to cover their passport expenses. 
  • Wright State renewed its partnership with Devonshire Smith Diversity & Education Solutions to continue efforts to make intentional connections with students from urban areas. The Cincinnati non-profit works to increase high school and college graduation rates as well as college going rates among minority students.
  • Wright State established a new identity center, the Disability and Neurodivergence Cultural Center, in collaboration with students and alumni. This center will provide networking, programming, and a home-away-from-home space for students with disabilities and is one of only two such centers in Ohio and 19 nationally.
July 1, 2023 updates:
  • The Latino Center led a 6-day summer program on college and career readiness for Latino high school students. The program included important college success strategies, micro writing and math college prep sessions, and sessions with colleges to learn about possible careers and academic programs. Attendees of the full program will receive a free college credit upon successful enrollment at Wright State.
     
  • Wright State was awarded a grant from the Institute of International Education Inc. to assist Pell-eligible, first-year students in attaining their a U.S. passport to facilitate international experiences as part of their post-secondary education. The grant will help up to 25 eligible students cover their passport application fees, photos, transportation to Wright State, and mailing and shipping.  To be eligible, students must also meet any of the following diversity-identity characteristics: racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ students, gender diverse students, first-generation student, students with disabilities, students with demonstrated financial need, veterans, nontraditional-age students, students who have never traveled abroad, or other historically marginalized or underrepresented identities in study abroad at the institution.
April 1, 2023 updates:
  • Enrollment Management is currently working with leadership from Dayton Public Schools and the Montgomery County Educational Services Center to finalize a formal agreement and Memorandum of Understanding between the University and DPS. Once approved, this agreement will serve as the model for additional MOUs with local districts with a student population that is broadly underserved.
     
  • In recent months, Undergraduate Admissions has pointed resources to the development of a strategic recruitment plan, inclusive of high school visits, on-campus events, financial aid initiatives, and other strategic activities. These efforts, including the monitoring and reporting of admission and success metrics of underserved schools and students, are aimed at identifying and improving key metrics for underserved students.
     
  • Beginning in Fall 2023, the newly created Office of Orientation & Success Programs within the Division of Enrollment Management will focus its efforts on increasing the retention of targeted student populations, such as first generation, Pell eligible, and those attending underserved high schools. These efforts will focus on providing students with the tools and connections to successfully transition to Wright State and further thrive in a university setting. In addition to creating UVC 1010 courses to intentionally convene groups of students and introduce them to key and critical topics, the Success Coaches will serve as mentors to these groups of students and develop programming that provides access to and awareness of key campus influencers and opportunities, all while creating a sense of community and increasing student belonging.
     


Strategy 3: Integrate inclusive excellence into the curriculum

july 1, 2024 updates:
  • Inclusion Officers have been appointed and are actively promoting inclusive excellence. Each college or school has developed its own Strategic Inclusive Excellence Plan, with the Division of Inclusive Excellence providing the broader University's iplan. Throughout the academic year, the officers have convened monthly to exchange best practices and innovative ideas. A formal kick-off event will take place on September 4th to introduce the officers and the program to the campus community.
January 1, 2024 updates:
  • The Division of Inclusive Excellence, Office of the Provost, and the academic colleges collaborated to launch the Inclusion Officers Program. Through this program, representatives from each college meet monthly to discuss and share strategies for teaching inclusive excellence, raising awareness, and disseminating information that will support the university's inclusive excellence goals.
April 1, 2023 updates:
  • The Division of Inclusive Excellence in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and Deans of each college will identify an Inclusion Officer in each of the colleges to represent the colleges in ensuring that the goal of inclusive excellence at Wright State is achieved. The Inclusion Officers will support the University by being committed to inclusive excellence by raising awareness, disseminating information, and sharing best practices for teaching inclusive excellence in the curriculum.
     


Strategy 4: Attract diverse faculty and staff through effective recruitment, inclusivity, and retention strategies and cultivate an equitable workplace environment to retain its talent

october 1, 2024 updates:
  • The LGBTQA Center hosted the Allyship in Action Professional Development Program during September. This is a transformative campus-wide workshop aimed at empowering faculty and staff with the tools and knowledge to actively support and advocate for the LGBTQA+ community across campus. The program’s objectives are to define the critical role of an ally and what it truly means to be one. Participants gained invaluable insights into the Division of Inclusive Excellence, our Culture & Identity Centers, and the numerous resources available to guide their continued growth as allies. Additional sessions are planned throughout the academic year.
october 1, 2023 updates:
  • The Division of Inclusive Excellence launched the Creating a Culture of Inclusion education series beginning with sessions for Facilities leadership and Department of Public Safety Summer 2023. The learning outcomes of this program focuses on:
    • Recognizing the importance of inclusivity in the workplace
    • Encouraging conversations about inclusion, and belonging
    • Identifying the barriers to an inclusive culture
    • Sharing best practices for creating an inclusive culture
    • Identifying individual actions participants can take to promote an inclusive culture
July 1, 2023 updates:
  • The University launched the Creating a Culture of Inclusion Education Series for Facilities’ leadership. The learning outcomes of this program focused on recognizing the importance of inclusivity in the workplace; encouraging conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; identifying the barriers to an inclusive culture; sharing best practices for creating an inclusive culture; and identifying individual actions participants can take to promote an inclusive culture.
April 1, 2023 updates:
  • The Division of Inclusive Excellence facilitated the Inclusive Excellence, Resilience, and the President’s Three R’s Human Resources professional development program for faculty and staff. Participants in this program identified strategies that can be used to cultivate a culture of inclusive excellence at Wright State.
     
  • The Division of Inclusive Excellence created the Inclusive Excellence Education Series beginning with Unconscious Bias and provided professional development to faculty, staff, and the Department of Public Safety. This is the first in a series of programs for faculty and staff focused on achieving Inclusive Excellence across our campus. Through this interactive presentation, the participants were able to achieve the following objectives:
    • To build basic cultural competency regarding unconscious bias.
    • To provide context for understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and policing.
       


KEY Metric: chalkboard teacher Student Representation

A diverse student-body enriches the learning environment and strengthens the communities where our students live and work by providing opportunities for growth, critical thinking, communication, and exposure to new perspectives.

The percentage of underrepresented minority students enrolled on Wright State’s campuses is indicative of our success in attracting and retaining a diverse student body.

Data definition: The percentage of domestic students in Fall Term who self-report belonging to an underrepresented minority group, including African American, Native American or Alaskan Native, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or two or more races.

Student Representation Data
Key Metric Fall 2022 Fall 2023 Fall 2024
Student Representation 24.2% 24.6% 26.0%

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key metric: address card employee Representation

The percentage of underrepresented minorities employed at Wright State demonstrates our success in attracting and retaining diverse talent and in reflecting the increasingly global work environments our graduates will experience.

Data definition: The percentage of university employees, full-or part-time, who self-report belonging to an underrepresented minority group, including African American, Native American or Alaskan Native, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or two or more races.

Employee Representation Data
Key Metric 2022 2023 2024
Employee Representation 14.7% 13.5%  

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