Opportunity, Community Building and Engagement

Read the Certificate Program Fall 2023 magazine story

Duquesne University launched a program on Sept. 8, 2022 for faculty and staff to earn certification in diversity, equity and inclusion (now community building). This opportunity was made possible through a partnership between Crystal McCormick Ware, Chief Opportunity, Community Building and Engagement Officer and Senior Advisor to the President; and the Office of Human Resources, Learning and Development.

The certificate program is designed to reinforce the University's mission of serving God by serving students so that they, in turn, may serve others. 

"Part of our mission is to maintain an ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity—to do everything we can so that those who wish to study or work here are included and have every opportunity for growth," President Ken Gormley said. "I am very pleased that this exciting new initiative will provide ways for everyone to gain skills so critical to our collective success."  

Faculty and staff participants earn their certificate through a series of 10 fundamental level workshops offered over the course of the academic year. Each in-person course is about three hours long. The workshops address Duquesne policies as well as individual behaviors that help create an environment of opportunities for all at the University.

Of the 10 workshops, seven core workshops are required. Participants then choose at least three elective workshops. Various content experts deliver the different courses. Participants gain an increased awareness of the importance of inclusion and develop tools and strategies to enhance success and belonging in academic and workplace settings.  

Individuals who choose to earn this certification should discuss it with their supervisor to align goals, outline general and specific relevance to their work at the University, and ensure adequate planning for the time commitment required. 

In addition, a summer-intensive program is offered that provides the core courses for those with scheduling conflicts. 

To meet the requirements for the Community Building Certificate program, participants must complete a capstone project session facilitated by Crystal McCormick Ware and Judy Barclay, manager of Learning and Development for the Office of Human Resources. 

Feedback on the Certificate Program:

“Congratulations and thank you to Ms. Crystal McCormick Ware for successful implementation of an excellent Certificate Program. The program is well-conceived, capably managed and expertly delivered by knowledgeable staff.

With an appropriate breadth of perspective and opportunity for productive discussion of important current topics with peers from across campus, the program tackled many of the critical DEI issues that are encountered in today’s academic environment.  From religious diversity to supporting our veterans and active-duty military personnel, the program provides valuable perspective for all academic leaders, faculty and staff.”

– James Drennen, III, Ph.D., Dean, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

“It was an honor and privilege to be included as an instructor for the Certificate Program. This program’s commitment to inclusivity aligns with the Office of Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response’s dedicated efforts to provide an educational, employment and business environment free of sex discrimination.

Seeing the initial success of this program makes me excited for the future, as I know that with each future cohort, we will move further towards our goal of gender equity and a campus community free from sexual harassment and discrimination.”

– Alicia M. Simpson, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response

Certificate Program Resources

The Duquesne University Inclusion Network is comprised of staff and faculty who are identified as persons who are committed to advance Duquesne University's goals of becoming a more inclusive and welcoming campus community both in the classroom and outside of the classroom.

The Duquesne University Inclusion Network is open to all Duquesne University employees.

Members serve as liaisons to their respective units and are expected to share information with their colleagues after each meeting and to partner with other units as opportunities are presented. 

Activities and Engagement:

• Strive to improve communication amongst University schools, units, and departments
• Hold Inclusion Network meetings as a way to chat regularly, drop files and promote events in the Teams Page, as well as share efforts with the Network
• The Inclusion Network will keep members updated on their specific unit’s program and initiatives by highlighting a specific school, unit, or department each month.
• Inclusion Network members will have the opportunity to partner or collaborate with other schools, units, and/or departments by sharing efforts
• Create a safe space amongst Duquesne University colleagues by being transparent as to where departments or units may hit obstacles and can ask for assistance or guidance openly
• Share best practices and successful approaches in efforts

Our Diversity Advocate Program includes a group of faculty members throughout the University who are appointed to full- time faculty searches at Duquesne University. In collaboration with the Chief Diversity Officer and the Office of the Provost, Human Resources provides the members of this program with the proper training, skills and abilities to help with Duquesne's faculty searches.

The goal of the Diversity Advocate Program is to ensure the search process is held to the same standard and that Duquesne is consistent with the approach to such faculty searches. 

Diversity Advocates are trained faculty volunteers who serve on faculty search committees as non-voting members. They work with search committees to promote diverse applicant pools and implement candidate evaluation processes that treat all applicants with fairness and consistency.

We welcome you to learn more about our hiring practice of faculty, staff, and students and our dedication to attracting, retaining, and engaging a talented and diverse workforce. We strive to be a trusted partner in supporting the diverse talents you may bring to Duquesne University. You will discover at Duquesne University, you have the potential to be part of a diverse community committed to promoting bigger goals through educational excellence and moral and spiritual values. 

You will discover that our Social Impact commitment to community building and inclusion is seen in action every day on campus.

Our DE&I Practices

Our ERGs are open to the entire Duquesne University community.

The mission of the Duquesne University ERGs are to promote and encourage the many interests and cultures within our workforce on campus. Our ERGs also serve as safe spaces for employees to collaborate and partner with other ERGs for programming, dialogue and awareness.

Learn more and sign up for an ERG

Duquesne's Spiritan founders believed in welcoming all and excluding none. Today, diversity remains at the forefront of our core values.

The Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion helps by providing support services and opportunities for learning. The Center coordinates community-wide events and programs to celebrate, acknowledge campus leaders and raise awareness about critical issues.

The Consortium for Christian Muslim Dialogue (CCMD) at Duquesne University promotes healthy and peaceful Christian-Muslim relations in both the United States and Africa.

When you participate in the CCMD, you’ll work with faculty from several schools within the university, each sharing the resources of their disciplines with an effort to explore the social, cultural, economic, philosophical, historical, political and religious roots of and solutions to interreligious conflicts. 

Learn more

Our cultural and ethnic student organizations are critical and valued entities. Your backgrounds, voices and actions serve as the core for our University's ability to remain open to diversity in all its forms.

• Asian Student Association (ASA)
• Black Student Union (BSU)
• Caribbean Student Association (CSA)
• Collegiate 100 (C100)
• Duquesne South Asian Student Association (SASA)
• Duquesne Student Chapter: NAACP
• Ebony Women: Women for Social Change
• Gender Sexuality Alliance (Lambda)
• International Students Organization (ISO)
• Jewish Student Organization
• Latin American Student Association (LASA)
• Multicultural STEM Group (MSG)
• Muslim Student Association (MSA)
• Saudi Student Organization
• Union of African Students (UAS)

Explore student organizations on CampusLink

Duquesne University's Equity Education Certificate program is designed to develop teaching practices in ethics, equity literacy, culturally relevant/sustaining pedagogy, and critical studies in education. This certificate program is housed in the School of Education, but open to the entire Duquesne University community.

Learn more

With a population that includes students from more than 90 countries, Duquesne offers many opportunities for students from all cultural, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds to learn from one another and gain a global perspective in their studies. Outside of the classroom, students participate in a wide variety of cultural programming and activities each year.  In fact, our International Student Organizations is one of the largest and most active student-led organizations on campus.

Our International Admissions Office helps guide students through the admissions process. It also offers personalized service for incoming students. For instance, our Cultural Ambassador program matches each incoming international student with a fellow current student who can answer questions and serve as a dedicated resource.

For international students who seek to improve their English language skills, Duquesne offers an English as a Second Language Certificate Program.

Juneteenth is a national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also called Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. The name "Juneteenth" references the date of the holiday, combining the words "June" and "nineteenth."

• Juneteenth: Commemorating Freedom: Library Guide
  
  
• National Museum of African American History & Culture

Juneteenth at Duquesne University

Our research guide presents you with many types of library resources on Latinx history and culture. It links you to reference works, great for basic facts and background information, to print and ebooks, to databases for magazine, newspaper, and journal articles, to primary sources, and more. 

On this research guide, we treat the terms "Hispanic," "Latina/o," and "Latinx" as synonyms.

View Latinx Heritage Resource Guide

Duquesne University, led by the spirit and guided by its Catholic Spiritan values, is committed to fostering and maintaining authentic relationships with every person. As stated in the University's Mission Statement, Duquesne University is committed to creating an ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity through walking with all who engage in education for the mind, heart, and spirit.

The Rainbow Connection Employee Resource Group (DU login required) is an employee-led group at Duquesne University dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and diverse work environment for employees of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

This resource group provides opportunities for professional development, community building and visibility, and serves as a resource for Duquesne University employees seeking to improve LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and awareness. For more information, email rainbowconnection@duq.edu.

Explore our LGBTQIA+ Resources page to learn more.

At Duquesne, our Spiritan Campus Ministry seeks to welcome all community members, regardless of your denomination or faith tradition. We invite you to engage with our many liturgical and worship ministries, faith sharing programs, and social outreach opportunities.

Learn more

Duquesne has a long history of serving active military personnel, veterans, and their families. Our Veteran and Military Services Office offers a wide array of personalized services and resources. The Veteran Service Center in Libermann Hall is a learning and recreation center created specifically for veteran and military students and their families.

We are a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon program. Tuition benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® are available as well as dedicated resources to help students navigate the financing process.

Learn more about benefits for veterans, active-duty personnel and their families.