Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders (AHCD) is dedicated to the education of future health professionals who come from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to providing an inclusive, anti-racist and safe environment for our students and preparing them to provide state-of-the-art health care in a culturally diverse and globalizing society. Although we have always aimed to create an inclusive environment, we can do better.

Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at NIU. For questions, please email us at dei@niu.edu. 

Vision

The AHCD DEI Committee envisions a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where all students, faculty and staff are respected and valued for their unique differences and inherent worth, in an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust and civility.

Objectives

• Promote the value and importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in all programs within AHCD.
• Develop strategies and tools to enhance and guide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts AHCD through discussions, events, etc.
• Provide and sustain a forum/platform for AHCD students, faculty and staff to engage in difficult conversations that center on diversity, equity, and inclusion as both an asset and barrier to real change that can be measured and sustained.
• Empower AHCD students, faculty and staff to be agents of real change who are committed to being responsive to the DEI needs of AHCD, the NIU community and the nation, in order to improve the health and well-being of diverse populations, communities and individuals.
  • Hold monthly events focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Require and provide diversity training for all faculty, staff and students.
  • Create a forum for our students, faculty, staff and alumni to anonymously provide suggestions, comments and calls to action.
  • Given that all our careers require advanced degrees, we will develop a survey for our undergraduate students to gather data about factors that may be impacting their ability to attend graduate studies. This information will guide us in developing a support program for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds to ensure equal opportunity to pursue graduate studies and increase diversity within our fields and our health care system.