What makes a good diversity statement

Why is diversity important to you or the classes you teach? How do you work to ensure your classes are inclusive and welcoming to all students?

Do you do any service or work with diverse or underrepresented populations? If so, what? Does your research connect to diversity efforts or our understanding of diverse populations? If so, how? Are you personally diverse in any way that might be relevant to your work?

For example, were you a first-generation student, or were you a woman in STEM who aims to expands opportunities for these populations? What would you like to do in future departments related to diversity and equity? Tips on Writing a Diversity Statement Share your story No two people will have the same experiences with diversity. Identify specific experiences Much like teaching statements, diversity statements are stronger if you can be specific rather than talk in generalities.

Edit as needed A school that has high Hispanic and African American populations might value slightly different things about diversity than a school where the students are perhaps less ethnically diverse, but may have a large number of first-generation or religiously diverse students. References Golash-Boza, T.

Subscribe to Connections. In terms of the latter, a good first step is to gather information on activities—on campus or beyond— they would like to pursue while at Brandeis, and then to describe how and in what ways they might participate in these. This could include, for instance, discussing the particular barriers facing women, under-represented groups, and first generation college students in their field.

Such context can be particularly helpful if the candidate will be describing work with numbers of people from particular demographic groups. For example, a candidate may have or display:. Understanding of the barriers facing women, under-represented groups, and first generation college students in higher education, as evidenced by life experiences and educational background.

I can assure you that many faculty members truly care about diversity and equity and will read your statement closely. I have been in the room when the diversity statement of every single finalist for a job search was scrutinized. Applicants mentioned their teaching and activism and highlighted their commitment to diversity and equity in higher education.

Diversity statements are a relatively new addition to the job application packet. Thus, search committees are still developing assessment tools for such statements, and many campuses lack clear guidelines. Nevertheless, you can use this novelty to your advantage by writing a stellar statement that emphasizes your record of contributions to diversity and equity as well as your commitment to future efforts. She runs the blog Get a Life, PhD and tweets as tanyaboza. Expand comments Hide comments.

We have retired comments and introduced Letters to the Editor. Share your thoughts ». About Contact Subscribe. Career Advice. Conditionally Accepted. The Effective Diversity Statement. By Tanya Golash-Boza. June 10, Here are seven additional suggestions to consider as you write your diversity statement. Tell your story.

If you have overcome obstacles to get to where you are, point those out. If, in contrast, you are privileged, acknowledge that. If you grew up walking uphill to school carrying two pound sacks of rice on your back, by all means, tell that story. If you were raised with a silver spoon in your mouth, acknowledge your privilege.

Either way, use your story to explain how you can empathize with students who confront challenges on their way to achieving their educational goals. Focus on commonly accepted understandings of diversity and equity.