About Us

Mission Statement

The Student Center for Equity and Inclusion strives to remove barriers and contribute to the community practice of belonging for University of Richmond students, in doing so we cultivate inclusive communities and empower students to be affirmed in their identities and the ways they intersect.

We support First-Generation, Limited Income, LGBTQ+, and Multicultural students by providing avenues to build community, explore identity, and develop skills that encourages them to flourish at the University of Richmond and beyond. 

SCEI commits to:

• Cultivate affirming and inclusive spaces to help students develop a greater sense of belonging.

• Advocate for historically underrepresented students by engaging, collaborating with, and educating fellow Spiders.

• Celebrate through cultural and social programs designed to build connections and acknowledge diverse lived experiences.

• Empower students to explore themselves and exist authentically within our campus community.

We challenge members of the campus community to join our efforts to promote social justice, cross-cultural dialogue, and awareness of systemic inequity.

History

The Student Center for Equity and Inclusion, launched in the midst of the pandemic in August 2021, and is the combination of two longstanding offices, collectively serving our community for over 30 years. Born from the fusion of Common Ground and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Student Center for Equity and Inclusion has significantly broadened its scope and resources to better serve our Spider community. Our Center is dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging among University of Richmond students, thereby nurturing inclusive environments and empowering students to embrace their identities and intersections confidently.

We center the needs of First-Generation, Limited-Income, LGBTQ+, and Multicultural students, offering avenues for community building, identity exploration, and skill development to enable their success at the University of Richmond and beyond. With our distinctive organizational framework, the SCEI provides dedicated professional staff to focus on each major underrepresented student group on our campus. This tailored approach allows us to design programs, allocate resources, and conduct outreach that aligns with the unique needs of each underrepresented student demographic. Furthermore, this structure fosters a diverse range of expertise, enriching the implementation of impactful DEI initiatives within the Student Center for Equity and Inclusion.

A striking feature of our programming is its inclusivity, with over 50% of SCEI initiatives open to the entire campus community. These programs serve as a platform for amplifying the diverse lived experiences of our Spider community, reinforcing our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.