Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
An inclusive institutional climate, culturally competent graduates
Commitment and Growth in Diversity
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is committed to building an inclusive institutional climate and to preparing our graduates to work in an increasingly diverse world. We will do this by fostering a climate that leads to success for all members of our community and by actively working to expand diversity within our community.
The college’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee is charged with assisting and advising the Dean on strategic planning, investment of college resources, and programmatic initiatives related to diversity, inclusion, climate, and cultural competency. Chaired by the Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion, a faculty member with a 25% appointment to this position, the committee is comprised of students, faculty and staff.
Our strategic plan includes goals for a minimum of 10 percent underrepresented minority faculty and 50 percent female faculty. Between 2015 and 2020, we approximately doubled the percentage of underrepresented minority faculty, from 4.1% to 8.0% for all academic staff and from 5.2% to 9.3% for specialized faculty. As of 2020, women comprised 41.3% of tenure system faculty and 66.7% of specialized faculty.
Click on graph to enlarge.
In 2020, underrepresented minorities comprised 17.2% of the veterinary student body, a marked increase from the 8.7% in 2015.
Efforts to broaden diversity within the college include tapping into campus programs. One of these is the Targets of Opportunity Program to support recruitment of outstanding faculty members among groups that are underrepresented by race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and veterans’ status. Another is the Graduate College’s Aspire Illinois program, which aims to increase enrollment of outstanding master’s and PhD students from populations that have been historically underrepresented in graduate study. The college and university abide by the U.S. Department of Education’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
College Mission Statement on
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The College of Veterinary Medicine is committed to the creation of an inclusive institutional climate for students, faculty, staff and clients, and curricula that produce culturally competent veterinarians. |
As noted by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, increasing diversity in the health professions requires recognition of many dimensions, including, but not limited to race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, cultural background, language, cognitive style, nationality, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and other forms of differences, both visible and invisible. |
We affirm the value of human diversity for the enrichment of the community and believe diversity fosters a climate conducive to success for all members of the veterinary medical education community. |
Each person is a reflection of multiple diversity dimensions, and we embrace the differences as well as the commonalities that bring us together. |
We strive to build a community based on mutual respect and to graduate professionals who are prepared to work in an increasingly diverse world. |
Since 2000 the college has partnered with the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago to bring science-based programs to high school students interested in veterinary careers. The Veterinary Mentor Program attracts a diverse group of teens and has successfully led many participants to enroll in veterinary school.
Our college also participates in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine pipeline program, funded by the NIH Science Education Partnership Award.
Student Resources
Illinois is proud to offer two scholarships to support LGBTQ students. The awards are made in the spring semester.
- Michael McElvaine Scholarship
Dr. McElvaine, a 1976 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine, was the founding president of the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (now known as Pride Veterinary Medical Community) in 1994. A scholarship in his memory is awarded to a student with a demonstrated record or strong potential in support of LGBTQ activism.
- David Kieltyka Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Kieltyka, a 1978 graduate of the college, created this scholarship for students with financial need are active in an LGBT organization or otherwise make a contribution to an accepting and diverse environment at Illinois.
![[VOICE activities at Illinois]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dei-voice-pix.jpg)
Activities organized by VOICE have included a breakfast event where students and others were encouraged to write down their thoughts on issues regarding inclusivity on the Illinois campus and a fundraiser called “Pie a Professor,” where students delivered delicious plates of whipped cream to the faces of their favorite willing faculty members.
Additional Resources
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