To build academic and extracurricular opportunities that focus on providing access and support to all learners on their journey of personal and professional development with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In addition to an extensive list of DEI initiatives developed by our department since 2013, the leadership team of SNHU’s Global Campus (GC) STEM department has joined with the AnitaB.org BRAID initiative as a 2020 affiliate. As an affiliate, the senior leadership team participates in an active community of leaders from around the United States, Canada, and Australia to develop and share best practices that support equitable access and success for all learners with a particular focus on women and underrepresented students in Computer Science. This learning began with a professional training series in June 2020 and will continue for one full year. Additionally, each school must act to address three of the following commitments:

1. Modify introductory CS courses to make them more appealing and less intimidating to underrepresented students.
2. Lead outreach programs for high school teachers and students to build a diverse pipeline of students.
3. Build confidence and community among underrepresented students.
4. Develop and/or promote joint majors in areas like CS and biology that are attractive to underrepresented students.

Since agreeing to address three of the above commitments as an Affiliate, SNHU’s STEM leadership team and staff have regularly received professional guidance on how to better incorporate DEI initiatives into the student experience for CS students as well as all learners. The department has begun to articulate how it intends to address the commitments set before them in the actions above. Additionally, the senior leadership team of SNHU’s GC Academics department has each incorporated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into the performance goals and professional development plan of the entire staff.

Jasmine Liu