Skip to main content

Diversity

The creative energy of the college truly comes to life through our differences, and we are committed to showcasing a variety of design experiences.

At the College of Design, we aspire to a diverse design community that enhances the educational experience of all students. Gradually over the past decade, the college has matured into a community diverse in culture, race, gender, and personal interests. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the College of Design

The College of Design as a part of NC State — a land grant university — strives to serve all its community members in equal measure and without bias. Throughout its history and in various ways the college and the university have fallen short in making opportunities available for all members of our community (the peoples of North Carolina, those joining us from other states and abroad). We recognize that this institution has participated in and benefited from discriminatory policies and stands on the ancestral lands of first nations and indigenous peoples. We commit ourselves to the changes required for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment to better reflect all peoples who share this space. An ancestral land affirmation statement and brief timeline are provided as recognition of those who have come before us and historical moments of this university in order to provide context for our current efforts. 

Ancestral Lands Statement

We recognize the many indigenous peoples who have inhabited this land for thousands of years.  The portion of the Piedmont now known as Wake County was an area between the territories of several large native communities, each with unique cultures—the Tuscarora, the Catawba and the Siouan. NC State’s campus is located on land that the Enos, Occaneechis, Shakoris and Sissipahaws once called home. Today, North Carolina’s native population, the descendants of the original inhabitants of this land, include eight sovereign American Indian tribes: the Coharie, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Haliwa Saponi, the Lumbee, the Meherrin, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, the Sappony and the Waccamaw Siouan. These nations work to preserve their culture; we are grateful for their many contributions to our community and honor their efforts to shape their own self-determined futures.

DEI Mission Statement  

The College of Design community, with the goal of securing a place of diversity, equity, and inclusion, cooperatively created this living document holding ourselves accountable to apply its principles to our practices and procedures such that all of our community members are: 

To be Seen. To be Valued. To be Heard. To be Safe. 

  • We affirm the right of each person to express themselves, their thoughts, and their opinions freely. We encourage open expression within a climate of civility, sensitivity, and mutual respect. 
  • We strive to create a culture of belonging and inclusivity, where all individuals feel comfortable sharing their authentic self. 
  • We commit to being allies to people of all skin tones, gender identities, sexual identities, sexual orientations, religious affiliations, ethnic groups, culture(s), place of origin, nationality, ableness, and the unique differences that make us individuals. 
  • We are intentional in our thoughts and actions towards a more equitable learning and working environment. We strive to increase community knowledge of best practices for an inclusive campus. 
  • We will create opportunities and spaces to help foster success by gathering and sharing resources that are required to support individual goals. 
  • We will increase underrepresented/underserved populations access to and participation in design throughout their K-12 (prospective students), college (design students) and professional careers. 
  • We are committed to creating a community that includes college alumni, students, faculty, staff, and supporters who engage with the college creating a place where all are welcomed to succeed.

Ongoing Work in the College

The College of Design continues to make progress through the work of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) subcommittee, part of the larger Design Our Community task force within the college.

DEIB Activities and Events Form

The college is interested in understanding our efforts (and the resources allocated) to support broader perspectives within our curriculum and programming and to support an inclusive community where all of our community members feel that they belong.

Please complete the linked form to document DEIB-related activities as they occur.

Offices Contact Information

General Inquiries

Additional questions, comments, and web-related inquiries can be directed to collegeofdesign@ncsu.edu.