Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
WPI's Values Statement
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) staff at WPI serve as subject matter experts, collaborating on professional development and infusing DEIB principles into all aspects of the WPI experience. They work to build community, share best hiring practices, and create an effective living, learning, and working environment for faculty, staff, and students in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education. The DEIB staff also aims to enhance diversity and inclusion in the WPI and Worcester communities.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Unit's Definitions
At WPI, we aim to create a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community that celebrates and embraces the diversity of all its members. Together, we can work towards a more inclusive and supportive WPI and Worcester community.
DIVERSITY
Diversity refers to the demographics of the workplace, encompassing students, faculty, and staff, including aspects such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, military/veteran status, nationality, disability status, and skills.
EQUITY
Equity ensures fair and equitable access, opportunities, and advancements for WPI students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their diverse backgrounds.
INCLUSION
Inclusion means fair and respectful treatment of all students, faculty, and staff, fostering positive interactions within the WPI community.
BELONGING
Belonging focuses on creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff feel accepted and valued, and in which their perspectives are recognized and appreciated.
WPI's Core Values
WPI's core values highlight the importance of respecting and appreciating diversity, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion, and actively promoting equity in the following ways:
Click below on our flashcards to see our values in action
Faculty & Staff of Color Receptions and Lunch & Learn Events
The DEIB Wellness Day Symposium
The DEIB Wellness Day Symposium, coinciding with Wellness Day at WPI on November 6, offers an opportunity to destress, connect, and engage in meaningful DEIB conversations. Join us for thought-provoking discussions, wellness activities, and the chance to build a more inclusive campus community.
Please register here to let us know you are coming.
Tony Laing, PhD, to Lead Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at WPI
Tony Laing, PhD, recently joined WPI in the role of assistant vice president for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) in the Division of Talent & Inclusion. Laing will work with staff and faculty across WPI to infuse diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into decision-making processes and practices.
An Inclusive Excellence Action Plan at WPI
The Inclusive Excellence Action Plan is WPI's strategic approach to actualizing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WPI. This initiative spans four goals designed to engage our community in WPI’s mission and values, center the voices and lived experiences of marginalized and underrepresented communities, and collaborate in the development of institution-wide action plans. Find out more about Inclusive Excellence at WPI.
WPI's Welcoming Environment
WPI is committed to an environment welcoming to all. We ensure a designated safe space, inclusive spaces including several Gender Inclusive Restroom locations, and a nursing room in the Gordon Library. The library staff has complied a Pride Resources (PDF) list for access to thousands of journal articles, newspaper articles, streaming video and other media referencing LGBTQIAP+ issues.
Pronoun Usage Resources
Dialogue around gender pronouns is a small way to normalize mindfulness of our assumptions and promote gender inclusion. We have curated some suggested practices that we hope will help promote gender pronoun visibility and greater efforts towards creating a more inclusive and affirming WPI community.
The Odyssey of Naudin Oswell
Learn more about Naudin Oswell ’30, WPI’s first Black graduate, who overcame racial discrimination to become a pioneering figure in public housing and in the investment banking community.
Planning Campus Programs
In an effort to foster a community of inclusion at WPI we encourage you to be mindful of holidays, interfaith, and other commemorative events which may impact community member participation in campus programs and events. Also take accessibility into consideration--including marketing, location, food/drink and event communications--to ensure your programs are accessible to all participants. Please refer to the following resources when conducting your event planning.
Contact DEIB
Tony Laing, PhD
Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
508.831.6382 (O); 508.831.5715 (F); tlaing@wpi.edu
Bwann Gwann
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
508.831.5877 (O); 508.831.5715 (F); bgwann@wpi.edu
Division of Talent & Inclusion
Boynton Hall, 2nd Floor, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280