The Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion
Equity and Opportunity Begin at Home
Duquesne's Spiritan founders believed in welcoming all and excluding none. Today,
diversity remains at the forefront of our core values.
Our Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion helps by providing support
services and opportunities for learning. We coordinate community-wide events and programs
to celebrate, acknowledge campus leaders and raise awareness about critical issues.
You can rely on the support and guidance you'll receive at our Center. We're proud
to be invested in your success, and we'll walk alongside you as you reach for your
biggest goals.
Our Center works side by side with the University community to address systemic challenges.
When you participate in our events and programs, you'll become more open to the lives
and journeys of others – and more determined to create a future everyone can share
in.
Scholarships: In keeping with Duquesne's Spiritan heritage, we seek to increase endowed funds for
need-based financial aid and scholarships. Our founders and sponsors were determined
that the benefits of a Duquesne education should be available to all, regardless of
ability to pay. Endowed scholarships ensure that Duquesne can attract and retain talented
and motivated students for generations to come
Unrestricted Funds: Unrestricted gifts allow the director the flexibility to direct resources to the Center's
most critical needs and respond to unexpected opportunities. Many gifts to the Center
are designated for a specific purpose, making these discretionary funds even more
valuable.
Cross-Cultural Program Endowment: As society becomes increasingly pluralistic, all students need to develop the knowledge
and skills to successfully work with people of different backgrounds. The Center offers
a wide range of co-curricular educational programs that not only improve the diversity
climate on campus, but also prepare students to become leaders in personal and professional
settings. These initiatives may include targeted efforts (such as financial literacy
programs for at-risk students or anti-racist interventions dealing with specific situations)
as well broad-based workshops and speakers open to all students that provide insights
into cultural issues. Endowment funds are needed to ensure the continuation and expansion
of these cross-cultural programs.
Multicultural Student Advisory Council: While the Center bears primary responsibility for cross-cultural initiatives, it also
seeks to respond to student needs and promote campus-wide awareness and dialogue.
The Center has assembled a panel of student leaders to help guide its efforts. Currently,
this body operates only in an advisory capacity, but in the future, the Center seeks
dedicated funding that the Council, in turn, could allocate to other student organizations
that wish to offer multicultural programs furthering the Center's goals.
Peer Educators: This program would create a corps of diversity ambassadors. Similar to resident assistants,
these student leaders would receive intensive certification training in promoting
diversity and addressing multicultural issues across campus. Funding is needed to
support both training and stipends for selected students during academic terms.
Travel Funds: Students' educational experiences and leadership skills are enhanced by attendance
at regional and national professional conferences. Funds are needed to defray students'
costs of travel to and participation in these valuable networking opportunities.
Book Scholarships: The increasing expense of required textbooks is a real barrier to many students seeking
to begin or continue their studies. The Center's book scholarships would assist needy
students in addressing this vital academic need.
Multicultural Resource Library: The Center seeks to build, maintain and house a collection of books, audio and video
resources addressing diversity issues both on campus and in the larger society. These
materials would provide opportunities for students to enhance their understanding
and implement principles demonstrated in other activities.
Naming of the Department: A substantial endowment gift commitment to name the Center would provide continuing
funds for many of the initiatives described herein, while serving as a perpetual living
testament to the donor's generosity, compassion and vision.
Endowed Graduate Fellowship: Would provide funding for a graduate assistant to help the director implement new
and existing programs and work directly with students.
Facilities Improvements: Operational funds are sought to renovate, maintain and decorate the Center's offices
and upgrade the technology available for student and staff use.
Held every November, the Annual Turkey Drive brings together members of the Duquesne
University community and over 20 community partners to provide Thanksgiving meals
to families in and around the Greater Pittsburgh Region. Since its inception, the
drive has provided over 2,200 meals to those in need.
Held in the Fall semester, the Diversity Day of Awareness seeks to convey the importance
of diversity. Hosted by the Multicultural Programming Council (MPC) the event joins
together faculty members, staff members, senior administration and external community
partners.
A four-part series held in the fall semester, the Student Development Series seeks
to stimulate the development of our student leaders through a variety of relevant
topics and issues. Topics include: Success In The New Generation, Networking, Business
& Personal Etiquette for Success and Defining Your Purpose.
Each year, the Annual Alumni Gala is held. This event convenes and introduces our
wonderful minority alumni, graduating seniors and university community members to
each other while also promoting awareness about the university's actions for Diversity
and Inclusion.
Our cultural and ethnic student organizations are critical and valued entities. Your
backgrounds, voices and actions serve as the core for our University's ability to
remain open to diversity in all its forms.
Art Club
Asian Student Association (ASA)
Black Student Union (BSU)
Caribbean Student Association (CSA)
Collegiate 100 (C100)
Duquesne South Asian Student Association (SASA)
Duquesne Student Chapter: NAACP
Ebony Women: Women for Social Change
Filipino American Student Association of Duquesne (FASA)
Gender Sexuality Alliance (Lambda)
International Students Organization (ISO)
Jewish Student Organization
Latin American Student Association (LASA)
Multicultural STEM Group (MSG)
Muslim Student Association (MSA)
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Saudi Student Organization
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM (SACNAS)
Union of African Students (UAS)
In October 2014, theGreater Pittsburgh Higher Education Diversity Consortium(GPHEDC) was formed to better assist and develop a robust investment on the critical
issues impacting diversity and inclusion in higher education throughout the Pittsburgh
region.
Housed in the Office of Diversity Inclusion at Duquesne University, the consortium
is focused on sharing best practices, resources, and promoting activities that cultivate
professional development, leadership development and student success at a variety
of higher education institutions.
Duquesne University is among the current GPHEDC member institutions.
Mission Statement
The Greater Pittsburgh Higher Education Diversity Consortium (GPHEDC) is dedicated
to guiding and facilitating transformative change to promote diversity, equity and
inclusion in support of academic excellence and educational opportunities at colleges
and universities in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.
Hosted by the Center, the Spirit of Diversity Celebration honors University students and partners who are committed to academic excellence,
diversity and inclusion. The event gathers over 300 people in attendance annually
and provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and members of the Pittsburgh
community to hear from some of the nation's leading thinkers on multicultural issues.
Previous speakers have included Hill Harper, Swin Cash, Saleem Ghubril, Cynthia L.
James, Charlie Batch, Dr. Jen Fry and Mayor Ed Gainey.
Students and Alumni Talk About the Center's Impact
“The Center creates a safe space for students who come from diverse backgrounds.
They have been a great support system for me on campus, as well as a place to go for
fun events and to connect with other students.”
Elisha Schoeneck ‘25Physical Therapy major
“I’ve evolved as a student leader thanks to the Center showing me different examples
of what leadership looks like. It’s a place I can call my second home.”
Jakobie Green ‘25Finance major
“I’m beyond grateful to the Center. They opened many doors for me and gave me
a lot of support.”
Lindsey Harris '24Psychology and English Writing alumna
“The staff at the Center were incredibly supportive in everything that I did.”
Kendall Benjamin ‘23Pharmacy alumna
"The Center really helped me evolve in becoming a student leader. They uplifted
my passions and motivation to engage with the Duquesne community around racial challenges
for Asian American and Pacific Islander students and faculty."
Cassie DiBenedetti ‘22Data Science alumna
“I’m so thankful for the Center. The staff there were such incredible role models
for me.”
Shaayan Meyers ‘22Health Sciences alumna
“The Center really helped me to grow. I popped in there all the time. They were
always so supportive.”
Taylor Hopkins '23Forensic Science and Law alumna
"I met my best friends literally my first day through the Center. It was very
integral to my overall experience at Duquesne."
Angelica Alday '22Biomedical Engineering and Pre-Med alumna
"I've always had a passion to help others. It was a pleasure to be a mentor through
the Center to some of the younger students."
Jason Bempah '22Business Management alumnus
Pre-Orientation Program
As you embark upon your collegiate journey and pursue your educational goals, you
will be provided with a reliable network of support to aid you in your success. We
are excited about your arrival and strongly encourage you to join us for our Pre-Orientation
Program that is held every August, just prior to the start of Freshman Orientation.
About Pre-O
Our Pre-Orientation program is coordinated each year by the Office of Diversity and
Inclusion. It is designed to assist students in making a successful transition to
Duquesne University. Pre-O provides first-year students with a valuable opportunity
to connect with a diverse group of students, administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Each session and activity is led by returning student leaders who are dedicated to
making this a meaningful experience for participants. Pre-O is open to any student
interested in attending and is free of charge.
Contact Us
Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion 412.396.1117 | duqpreo@gmail.com
To celebrate our diversity, the Center joins student organizations, University partners
and community partners to observe and honor different cultures with a wide range of
heritage month celebrations.
Commonly referred to as National Hispanic Heritage Month the Duquesne University community
celebrates the cultures of those whose ancestors came from Central and South America,
the Caribbean, Spain and Mexico. The Latino American Student Association (LASA) and
Caribbean Student Association (CSA) in particular create, convene and lead a variety
of programs during this month.
Black History Month is an annual celebration focused on the accomplishments and achievements of Black Americans
while honoring the critical role that African-Americans have served in our nation's
history. The Black Student Union (BSU) and Duquesne's National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) group spearhead the majority of planning.
Celebrated in March, Women's History Month highlights the many contributions women
have made in the history of our nation. The Center for Women's and Gender Studies
is a strong partner in arranging events for Women's History Month.
Asian Pacific Heritage Month encompasses a celebration of members whose roots trace
to the Asian continent and the Pacific islands. The Asian Student Association (ASA)
and Southeast Asian Student Association (SEAS) are active participants in this month's
celebration.
Alumni
Duquesne Diversity Alumni Group
Originally launched by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in 2015, our Duquesne
University Diversity Alumni Group intentionally seeks to connect previous alumni with
our current students. Learn about upcoming events, connect and meet alumni and more!
DUBAN’s mission is to promote the presence, engagement, empowerment and success of
Duquesne University’s Black Alumni Network by fostering key relationships with and
engagement of students, alumni, faculty, staff and other community members through
professional, educational, social, leadership and networking programs, as well as
through philanthropic support and opportunities.
