Diversity Initiatives

The core values of the College of Liberal Arts include freedom of thought and expression; respect, diversity, and social justice; excellence in all we do; and efficiency and adaptability in the achievement of our mission. This includes identifying, recruiting, and retaining the best-underrepresented faculty, staff, and students to CLA and promoting inclusive research and learning environments. For more information about CLA diversity initiatives, see CLA's Roadmap and the Office of Research and Graduate Program's DEI Statement outlining long-term planning for building community and developing readiness, research, diversity, and engagement. The resources below provide an overview of the different diversity programs, initiatives, and fellowships available to graduate students.

  • Awards and Scholarships
    ​Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) provides numerous types of awards and scholarships in support of equity and diversity work and achievements at the University of Minnesota.
  • Centers & Initiatives
    CLA's interdisciplinary research centers and programs support rigorous knowledge production, path-breaking creative activity, and innovative teaching in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. We’re discovering new ways to use research to address society's biggest challenges with the discoveries making a difference in our communities, our nation, and our world.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA
    CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. Learn more about how CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.
  • Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship 
    The fellowship is awarded to approximately 20 first-year students from underrepresented groups (US citizens or permanent residents).
  • Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE)
    ​An office and campus-wide resource promoting an inclusive atmosphere on campus. MCAE’s programs are designed to create powerful, caring connections among all members of the University of Minnesota community.
  • Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) 
    GSDO coordinates and leads the University’s initiatives in the recruitment, funding, retention and graduation of a diverse graduate and professional student body.