The Office of Inclusive Excellence, formally established January 2024 with the appointment of the vice president of inclusive excellence, leads the strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for our community, enhances alignment of key work and services that advance our goals and support our people, and fosters campus-wide engagement and learning. 

Our updated approach reflects the evolving nature of diversity and inclusivity work in higher education and beyond and incorporates growth and changes in our community. Supporting the alignment of work, services, and learning is the Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In addition, the Office of Inclusive Excellence includes the Office of Equity and Title IX, led by the Assistant Vice President of Equity and Title IX Coordinator, a unit that works to support American University’s commitment to guarantee equitable treatment and a welcoming working and learning environments for all. The office is responsible for the implementation of the following two University policies: Discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy and the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy. 

OIE Priorities

The Office of Inclusive Excellence has identified 3 strategic priorities – collective impact, climate action, and community bridging and learning, these priorities are designed to address the campus climate, align inclusive excellence initiatives and resources, and elevate and institutionalize our efforts.  

Collective Impact

Collective impact is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems level change.

Community Bridging and Learning

Community bridging and learning brings people together through the building of a vibrant inclusive community that understands our vast differences, promotes dialogue and opportunity, and ensures that all members are heard and can actively contribute to the collective (inclusive) success of AU.

Inclusive Excellence Champions support the work of making American University a community that encourages dialogue across differences to build a culture where everyone feels included; collectively contributes to a positive climate and inclusive practices: and advances equitable educational outcomes for all.

Each month the below section will spotlight an individual, unit or program that ignites inclusive excellence at American University. The work of inclusive excellence belongs to us all and these individuals have accepted the challenge to respond to the needs of a changing world.