Welcome! The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a collaborative leader and initiator of transformative change at CIIS, working closely with students, staff, and faculty to advance diversity and student success, create an inclusive academic environment, and incorporate the principles of diversity and inclusive excellence across the institution.
The Division offers and supports a variety of CIIS experiences, including the Bridge Program for incoming first-year students, the Black Psychology Project to cultivate African-centered praxis and leadership, diversity trainings and workshops, extracurricular events and conversations, film screenings, and teach-ins.
Through these events and resources, the division strives to work with the CIIS community to engage the entire institution in meaningful dialogues and actions that lead to introspection and change, affecting not only the academic environment and student experience at CIIS, but the community beyond. The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion also hopes to challenge students to enhance their writing, research, and overall education during their time at CIIS, while supporting faculty and staff in creating diverse, inclusive, and equitable classrooms and curricula.
The Division's open door policy welcomes all students, staff, and faculty to drop in to chat about ways to get involved, learn more about diversity resources, or simply say hello!
The Division is on the fourth floor of CIIS' Mission campus in offices 406A and 407
*During COVID, the easiest way to reach us is via email. Please contact drobertson@ciis.edu or abeltramedossantos@ciis.edu for any questions
Our Mission Statement:
The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strives to institutionalize justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as transformative forces that advance academic excellence, personal and professional growth, and
radical collaboration.
Definitions
Diversity
A diverse academic community offers a rich and dynamic perspective to CIIS's intellectual environment. Diversity is broader than the traditional categories of age, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation. It also encompasses disability, socioeconomic status, family background, language, the level of academic preparedness, learning style, and even different communities with which our students, faculty, and staff are associated.
As a result of intentional engagement with our own identities and the work of diversity, we uncover our similarities through our differences, thus allowing us to celebrate and honor our shared humanity.
Inclusion
Inclusion is respecting and embracing those distinctive characteristics each member of the CIIS community adds to the institution. It goes beyond numerical diversity. Inclusion is the creation of a climate where all feel valued and appreciated-where there is substantive interaction between and within groups, such that the very space becomes renewed by those included and all are willing to be challenged and enriched by the introduction of ideas, ways of knowing, and perspectives that were not originally centered. This inclusive environment best allows students, faculty, and staff to thrive as individuals and as a community.
Resources
Bridge Program
The Bridge program is a resource and support network for first-year students to promote academic confidence; foster meaningful connections with other students, faculty, and staff; and create a sense of community as students begin their studies at CIIS. The program begins in the summer before the fall semester starts, offering Bridge students writing workshops and social mixers. Throughout the school year, students continue to connect with each other, peer mentors, and advisors through workshops, social events, and field trips around San Francisco. Bridge aims to cultivate a supportive, diverse, and thriving community for incoming students at CIIS. For more information, please visit the Bridge Program page.
International Student Services
The international student advisor is dedicated to supporting international students throughout their education at the University. International students are offered orientation, the Summer Bridge Academic Writing program, immigration and visa advising, informational workshops, English-language tutors, and social events. Students are encouraged to participate in the development of the international student community by assisting with the planning of social and educational events through the campus group International Students & Friends.
The international student advisor is available for consultation and the processing of nonimmigrant paperwork in areas related to travel, visa application, employment authorization, and program extension. Additional information and forms may be found under the Student Affairs tab, International Students page on MyCIIS.
International students are also encouraged to participate in the international student listserv. The international student advisor uses this email list to communicate important information regarding immigration regulations and University policies. The international student page of the MyCIIS, under the Student Life tab, serves as a reference and a place to download important forms.
CIIS is committed to promoting diversity and cross-cultural exchange. The international student advisor acts as an advocate for international students, and students are encouraged to bring their questions and concerns to the international student advisor. You can learn more by visiting www.ciis.edu/international
Student Disability Services
Students who request accommodation for a disability should contact Student Disability Services at sds@ciis.edu. Students will be guided through the registration procedures for accommodation. Any questions, requests for accommodation or access, or concerns regarding services for students or applicants with a disability as defined by law should be addressed to the University disability officer, who is also the Dean of Students. More information can be found on the Student Disability Services page of MyCIIS, under the Student Affairs tab.
Veteran Student Services
The University's academic programs of study are approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education, Department of Veterans Affairs for enrollment of persons eligible to receive educational benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code. If you qualify for these benefits, you may use them toward your tuition. The V.A. School Certifying Official at CIIS is the registrar, who works with Financial Aid in administering these benefits. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to initiate the certification of your CIIS enrollment to the V.A.
Scholarship Resources
As part of CIIS' commitment to diversity, we offer several scholarships each year to incoming students. Scholarships are based on three criteria: financial need is a primary consideration, racial and ethnic background of the student, and CIIS academic program recommendation. View a list of available scholarships.
In addition to the institutional scholarships that CIIS offers to promote diversity, there are many additional scholarship resources available in support of diversity. Please download this document for a listing of some of these resources.
