In Fall 2020, the Georgia Tech Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council was formed to identify, discuss, and understand challenges and opportunities in the practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The first goal of the Council was to guide the inclusive process that culminated in Georgia Tech’s DEI Strategic Plan.
The process engaged a broad cross-section of leaders to create a 10-year blueprint including 22 actionable strategies with shared ownership and accountability within units across Georgia Tech. It outlines the steps we are taking to fortify the minds of current and future leaders with equanimity, courage, and resolve to lead with heart. It is a story where the spirit of inclusive leadership and innovation enables people of all backgrounds and stages of life to learn, grow, and contribute to responsible, equitable technological and human progress.
Our Mission
Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will support and advance the recruitment and retention of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community by promoting inclusive excellence in Georgia Tech’s teaching, research, recruitment, hiring and promotion, and service endeavors.
Celebrating Our Differences
At Georgia Tech, we see diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to learning, discovery, and creation. We believe that progress demands the voices and perspectives of many. We believe that everyone is capable of success if given the proper tools and opportunities. The strategic planning process afforded us the opportunity to reflect on what diversity means to us, and how those definitions are rooted in our core values as an institution.
Holding Ourselves Accountable
Georgia Tech is committed to an annual process of monitoring and reporting our progress toward DEI plan completion. All goal and strategy owners will be responsible for informing the Institute what strategic actions they will take to further the goals and report on key metrics and performance indicators year-over-year. The Executive Leadership Team (ELT), in collaboration with IDEI and the GTDEIC, will review the outcomes. Areas needing more attention will be addressed and those where goals have been achieved will be celebrated or rewarded accordingly.
To this end, year-one goals are focused on foundational activities that will best position the Institute for incremental success. It is a year of gaining agreements with strategy owners, identifying baselines for measuring progress, and investing resources through a new budget process to fund, incentivize, and reward people, initiatives, programs, and technologies to further our DEI goals.
- We will communicate, adopt, and fully integrate the DEI plan across the Institute.
- We will increase the diversity of our campus community by embedding DEI strategies into staff and faculty recruiting, student enrollment, and access practices.
- We will create spaces for cultural exchange and learning by students, faculty, and staff that enhance a sense of belonging by all members of the Georgia Tech community.
- We will address the psychological safety of the workforce through engagement that encourages learning innovation (climate assessment, ongoing leadership development, educational experiences, L.O.V.E. GT, etc.).