Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
WPI is dedicated to actualizing our vision of fostering a campus climate that that blends diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into the full fabric of our institution. This requires activating multiple support challenges to promote greater access and equity and advance our DEIB initiatives and strategy. Scholarships help to attract and retain underrepresented and first-generation students, graduate fellowships support underserved students as they pursue research and academic careers, and recruitment and retention initiatives for faculty and staff ensure WPI has a diverse workforce. Offices, centers, services, spaces, and resources—such as the Division of Talent and Inclusion, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education, Office of Accessibility Services, Office of International Student Life, and the Title IX Office—are all critical to supporting these efforts. Your gift is essential to these initiatives to reach and support the access, equity, and inclusion efforts WPI seeks to achieve—to create a campus community where prospective and current students, faculty, and staff see themselves; a campus community where all are welcomed, valued, and feel a strong sense of belonging.
DEIB Programs and Initiatives
The Division of Talent and Inclusion provides a range of intersectional educational programs/workshops open to the entire campus community. These educational opportunities focus on building self-awareness, social responsibility, and community agency around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Some programs include: Great Minds, Brave Spaces Series, Heritage Month Programs, MLK address, and Social Justice dialogues.
Dr. Debora Jackson Endowment for BIPOC Students
Established by the WPI Alumni of Color Association, this endowment provides scholarship support for underrepresented students, in honor of the Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson ’89 MS, ’00 ME, Dean of the Business School.
Office of International Student Life
In an atmosphere that embraces cultural diversity and encourages social tolerance, the Office of International Student Life at WPI provides programs, services, and immigration support to assist and educate international students and scholars in their transition to U.S. society and academic culture.
Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) houses several identity centers which are designed to foster an inclusive campus community which respects, honors, and celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in all of its dimensions; including but not limited to differences of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, socioeconomic status, ability, nationality/citizenship, and other identities. This fund directly supports the functions and services of the OASIS Multicultural Center, Collegiate Religious Center, Center for Black Excellence, and Lavender Lounge.
Student Diversity Initiatives
Student Diversity Initiatives include the engaging learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives facilitated by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME). This fund directly supports programs and services for BIPOC/ALANA students, LGBTQIAP+ students, first-generation students, women, and low-income students.
Office of Accessibility Services
The Office of Accessibility Services coordinates accommodation services and provides advocacy and support to assist students with documented physical, learning, sensory, psychological, developmental, and other disabilities in achieving their full potential.
Title IX Educational Initiatives
This fund supports programming run by the Title IX Office including educational programs, events, and workshops related to prevention of gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct.
Women’s Impact Network
The Women’s Impact Network is a diverse group of visionary women who share a passion for education, leadership, and philanthropy. By donating to a pooled fund, WIN members multiply their philanthropic power, supporting key initiatives through impact grants.
WRAMP - Women's Research and Mentoring Program
WRAMP empowers and supports women in STEM through a multi-tiered mentor program and hands-on WPI graduate research. Within this program, teams of four, including one graduate student, one undergraduate student, and two high school students, work on the graduate student's research project together.
Your Gift in Action
"We really appreciate everything that you are offering this community to help advance our mission, vision, and values. The work that we do could not be done without the generous contributions of our donors and our alums.
Our goal for students is to help strategize ways to remedy the concerns that are impacting different communities, particularly our most vulnerable communities. And so the work that we do here, I hope advances and elevates our students' skills and competencies. We want them to take what they're learning inside and outside of the classroom to go into various communities around the world to help advance social justice."