The Excelsior University Center for Social Justice (CSJ) is a community and institutional hub of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) spaces, opportunities, and resources. To further advance Excelsior’s mission and vision, the Center facilitates: a) safe spaces for diverse stories, voices, and dialogue, b) expanded access to post-secondary education, and c) intercultural development for community organizations, including Excelsior’s.
At the Center:
- Historically underrepresented students and community members can access:
- Connections, opportunities, resources, and support related to what matters to them through support villages or “rope teams” in which they feel represented, find relevant resources and support, and through which they can share their stories and their voice, and engage in multi-perspective dialogue.
- A bridge to post-secondary education, starting with SFL students through the Adelante program. Through the procurement of prospective partnerships, CSJ is also exploring future bridges for historically underrepresented community members, such as inmate, refugee, international, high-school, Native American students, etc.
- Community organizations can access intercultural development training and resources to strengthen their culture and outcomes, starting with free JEDI workshop series or the administration/interpretation of the Intercultural Development Inventory. CSJ is also building a repository of resources to support the JEDI capacity building of interested organizations.
- Excelsior community members participate in the University’s strategic plan goal of Becoming a Multicultural Organization and its 7 subgoals by 1) striving for inclusivity in all interactions and efforts, 2) intentionally leveraging our diversity to enhance our performance, and 3) pursuing JEDI impact within and beyond the organization.
- Strategic plan Goal 5 subgoals include:
- Introducing/applying a JEDI Framework
- Facilitating/normalizing regular JEDI dialogue
- Developing community through identity/allyship rope teams
- Integrating JEDI in the curriculum and instruction
- Partnering in the community to open access to education and for thought leadership
- Redesigning and prototyping the ¡Adelante! bridge program
- Enhancing the recruitment/retention of Excelsior’s diverse workforce
- Strategic plan Goal 5 subgoals include:
