DEI Resources for Faculty & Staff

DEI is important in the classroom, because our classrooms are a microcosm of the real world, which is a rich, diverse place! Anthropology, by its very nature, is an exploration of the diversity of human beings:  diversity in background and experiences, diversity in identity, and diversity in environments. Anthropology also explores systems of power in every culture, and anthropologists often act as advocates to amplify the voices of the communities they work with.

I want to help students understand the systems that influence our lives, and to help students feel empowered to influence those same systems. Anthropology is a dynamic and engaged discipline, and all ANT courses incorporate DEI!

-Shannon Bessette, anthropology professor

Many students enter a mathematics class questioning their abilities and wondering whether they belong there. I desire to create an environment that tells them yes, they are good enough, and yes, they do belong. I want them to see and believe that the discipline of mathematics and success in mathematics is for everyone. To that end, I attempt to model that philosophy and make it part of my classroom culture. I share inspirational advice or quotes from people of all walks of life, and I use application examples and anecdotes from math history to showcase contributions to mathematics from around the world.

In my Art of Mathematics course in particular, my students and I build biographies of past and present artists of diverse backgrounds, learning from the challenges the artists have faced, and discovering mathematical artists with whom students might identify. My hope is that a supportive environment and opportunities to find role models who inspire them will contribute to students' success in my class and beyond.

-Stephanie Zwyghuizen, mathematics professor