Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
With over 400 students from all over the world, the assortment of places from which our students come does not tell the full story of diversity at Govs.
We strive to create a diverse community that is reflective of the world that our students will go on to live in; one with differences of gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, political viewpoints, religion, and cultural background. As part of our Seven Essential Skills, Govs students learn to understand their roles in the large community and act within a moral and ethical framework, which includes finding and using their voices to share their beliefs and what is important to them. We work hard to create and sustain an inclusive community at all times and in all places— in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, in the dorm, and in the dining hall.
Every Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we step away from classes and gather as a community to reflect together. To learn how we celebrated in 2023, click here.
DIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT
adopted in June 2012 by the full faculty
At The Governor’s Academy, we welcome individuals who embrace difference. We believe that our personal experiences are the threads that define and connect us, and we foster a climate of appreciation in which each person’s story can weave itself into the evolving fabric of our community. Recognizing that diversity is an ongoing commitment, we purposefully reexamine our behaviors and beliefs to create community.
The Office of Multicultural Education invites you to take some time to check out these resources:
The Long-Lasting Legacy of the Great Migration
Black History Month Sale, NASW
African American History Month, Library of Congress
Celebrating Black History Month, National Museum of African American History & Culture
Center for Racial Justice in Education
In the past three years, ten faculty members have attended the Diversity Directions Independent School Seminar. The week-long seminar is designed to help schools develop a common language and strategic methods to examine and address the personal, interpersonal, and institutional factors that can advance or impede a school’s inclusion initiative. For students, we boast a global education program, including formal exchange partnerships with schools in Germany and China, and with the Navajo Preparatory School in Arizona.
Our Student Diversity Steering Committee is intended to be the driving force behind diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Govs. Students who serve on this committee:
- Advocate for initiatives and programs that advance the school toward its vision
- Suggest modifications based on feedback
- Participate in facilitation training on a wide array of diversity initiatives
- Engage the student community in the areas of equity and inclusion
Our Diversity Steering Committee works collaboratively to advance, advocate, and support the Dean of Multicultural Education. The committee makes recommendations to address current initiatives and policies toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion by:
- Evaluating current practices and trends regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion policies
- Promoting programs that encourage students, faculty, and staff to explore their identity, but also the identities of others
- Providing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff
- Assessing community growth from the 2012 climate survey
- International Club
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ALLIANCE
- ASIAN AMERICAN AFFINITY GROUP
- Community Facilitators
- STRONG WOMEN AT THE GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY
- BLACK LATINX ASSOCIATION
- GENDER SEXUALITY ALLIANCE / SPECTRUM
- Womxn of Color Non-binary Association (WOCA)
International Club
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ALLIANCE
ASIAN AMERICAN AFFINITY GROUP
Community Facilitators
STRONG WOMEN AT THE GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY
BLACK LATINX ASSOCIATION
GENDER SEXUALITY ALLIANCE / SPECTRUM
Womxn of Color Non-binary Association (WOCA)
Meet the Team
Edward Carson
Michelle de la Guardia
PAST SPEAKERS
Dr. Whitney Battle-Baptiste
Professor of Anthropology at UMASS, Amherst
Professors Jennifer Kirsch and Shamus Khan
College professors and co-authors of Sexual Citizens
Sylvia Swayne
Transgender rights activist & educator
Arno Michaelis
Author of My Life After Hate
Reverend Sharon Risher
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Keynote Speaker
Alex Myers
"American Masculinity"
Teacher, speaker, writer, and advocate for transgender rights