Who We Are
The Office of Equity and Inclusion at Claremont Graduate University serves as a dedicated hub for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of campus life. We are a community-driven team committed to ensuring that every individual—regardless of their background—feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
Our work is guided by a shared belief: equity is not just an ideal but a practice—one that requires intentionality, collaboration, and a commitment to meaningful action.
Our History
Founded in 1925, CGU was the second of the Claremont Colleges to form, following Pomona College and preceding Scripps College. The Office of Equity and Inclusion was established as part of CGU’s ongoing commitment to addressing inequities in higher education. Over the years, we have taken meaningful strides to build a community rooted in diversity, equity, and belonging.
Our key milestones include:
- Launching transformative programs, including the The Big Pitch, CGU’s 3-Minute Thesis Competition, which provides a platform for students to present research on equity and social justice, as well as the Realizing Equity Symposium, through a collaboration between the THRIVE Program, Transdisciplinary Studies, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
- Collaborating with Parker Dewey to introduce Micro-Internships, offering CGU students and recent graduates flexible, professional, and paid project opportunities that expand career readiness and address barriers to traditional internships.
- Partnering with local and global organizations such as the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to expand our impact, building equity-focused networks that enrich the CGU community.
- Supporting thousands of students, faculty, and staff in their journeys toward inclusion through IGNITE mentoring, professional development workshops, webinars, community-building events, and student professionalism certifications and student worker training.
Each milestone has brought us closer to realizing our vision of a truly equitable CGU.
What We Do
Our work spans multiple areas, including:
Advocacy and Support
We advocate for historically underrepresented communities and provide tailored support to address their unique challenges.
Education and Training
Through workshops, seminars, and training sessions, we equip our community with the knowledge and skills to foster equity in their work and interactions.
Community Engagement
We collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and external partners to develop initiatives that create lasting change.
Policy and Institutional Change
We work with campus leaders to review policies, practices, and systems to ensure they align with equity and inclusion goals.
Strategic Priorities
Our work is guided by five strategic priorities:
- Expanding Access: Reducing barriers to education and resources for underrepresented groups.
- Fostering Belonging: Creating inclusive spaces where individuals feel they can contribute and thrive.
- Enhancing Equity Education: Building capacity through professional development and training programs.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborating with local, national, and global organizations to extend CGU’s impact.
- Measuring Progress: Developing metrics and tools to evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts and ensure accountability.