Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Mission Statement
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations recognizes that Bowdoin’s student, family, and alumni community includes people of different backgrounds and identities whose relationships to Bowdoin take many different forms over time. Multi-faceted and incredibly talented, and with wide-ranging experiences from their time beneath the Pines and their lives around the world, Bowdoin alumni and families share a sense of community values and the Common Good. To serve this dynamic group, the Office is committed to a culture of engagement and inclusion in which alumni, families and staff feel individually valued.
Priorities
We have identified six core priorities to guide, reflect, and reaffirm our work on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention
We believe in the critical importance of recruiting, hiring, and retaining a professional and student employee staff that is diverse and represents our student, family, and alumni community.
Education
We expect all staff to build on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainings we have already completed; continue educating themselves, with support from department leadership; and be willing to approach these topics with open minds and a desire to learn.
Inclusion
We will continue to build an inclusive culture where the myriad backgrounds and perspectives of our staff and larger community are valued, and their diversity is encouraged to inform and strengthen our work.
Engagement
We will continue to create strategies to engage Bowdoin’s student, family, and alumni community, acknowledging that not all experience Bowdoin in the same way nor want the same type of Bowdoin engagement.
Curiosity
We will be willing to challenge existing practices, policies, and ideas and have the courage to adopt new ones. We will keep an open mind, explore alternative views, and look for ways to innovate and improve.
Reflection
We believe that meaningful education and positive change requires an ongoing process of reflection. We will periodically pause to reflect on our current progress in order to strengthen what has been successful or to redirect our course when it is necessary.