SRU earns national endorsement for equity and inclusion

Slippery Rock University received the Colleges of Distinction's 2020-21 Equity and Inclusion badge by “ensuring there is equal opportunity to thrive academically, personally and professionally for all students, faculty and staff.”

Sept. 11, 2020

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Colleges of Distinction has recognized Slippery Rock University for its outstanding commitment to equity and inclusion. SRU received the COD's 2020-21 Equity and Inclusion badge by "ensuring there is equal opportunity to thrive academically, personally and professionally for all students, faculty and staff."

"SRU has created a welcoming environment for underserved students," said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction. "It's a tremendous opportunity to highlight the noteworthy support offered for students who might not otherwise study and thrive on a college campus."

Holly McCoy, SRU assistant vice president of diversity and equal opportunity, credits the University's various President's Commissions as being large contributors to SRU's equity and inclusion success. The commissions, of which there are eight, were created by the Office of the President to advance the interests of SRU's diverse campus community,

"The commissions support diversity work and are incredibly active, especially in reacting to national events that can have a huge local influence," said McCoy. "The demographics of our country are very different from what they were even 20 years ago and we want our students, faculty and staff to be much more mindful of inclusivity issues, especially in addressing topics such as implicit bias.

"Because of these changing demographic and political environments, ensuring equal opportunity and inclusivity is a constant work in progress. We try to tackle this through a number of training sessions held throughout the year that are hosted by different departments and offices."

SRU's eight commissions include those with focuses on:

• Disability issues.
• Racial and ethnic diversity.
• Women.
• Gender identity & expression and sexual orientation.
• Wellness.
• Sustainability.
• Veterans and military affairs.
• Mental health.

COD has recognized and honored schools throughout the U.S. for excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education for 20 years. The member schools within the COD consortium distinguish themselves through their focus on the undergraduate experience.

For more information about the awards, visit the Colleges of Distinction website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lesa Bressanelli | 724.738.2091 | lnb1009@sru.edu