Mural on Rubin Campus Center
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Elevating belonging for everyone in the university.

(Mural display can be found on the outside of the Rubin Campus Center)

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.

RESPECT - COMMUNITY - INCLUSION - INNOVATION - ACHIEVEMENT

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:

Faculty and staff of color reception.

Respect

The value of Respect aligns with Diversity by emphasizing the significance of treating others with dignity at all times. It also aligns with Inclusion and Belonging by valuing every voice and advocating for fair and respectful interactions within the WPI community.

Faculty and staff gather for conversation.

Community

The value of Community aligns with Diversity by emphasizing the importance of collaborative work across diverse backgrounds and disciplines. It also aligns with Inclusion and Belonging by encouraging engagement with diverse perspectives to advance the university's mission.

Two faculty members conversing and laughing

Inclusion

The value of Inclusion aligns with Diversity by aiming to create a campus environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel a strong sense of belonging while promoting respect for differences. Furthermore, it aligns with Equity by demonstrating a commitment to actively address and reduce systemic barriers that may impede the success of minoritized groups.

Loiacono Neurodiversity

Innovation

The value of Innovation aligns with Diversity by recognizing the significance of a broad diversity of experiences, perspectives, and identities in driving innovative solutions. It also aligns with Equity by considering how innovation impacts different populations and ensuring that learning environments reflect this diversity.

Faculty and staff of color reception.

Achievement

The value of Achievement aligns with Diversity and Equity by emphasizing the deliberate creation of exceptional experiences and positive outcomes for all students, regardless of their diverse backgrounds. It also aligns with Belonging by acknowledging and celebrating successes and embracing collective learning from both successes and failures.

Preview Bwann Gwann
Q&A WITH BWANN GWANN, WPI'S DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

Q&A with Bwann Gwann

We sat down with Bwann Gwann (she/her), WPI’s director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), to get an understanding of her role, goals, and experience. She joined WPI in the fall and oversees the Inclusive Excellence Employee Resource Groups (IEERG) and the Diversity Advocate (DA) program and facilitates several DEIB-related trainings here on campus. 

Preview Richard Lopez
TESTIMONIAL FROM PROFESSOR RICHARD LOPEZ

Faculty Testimonial

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Richard Lopez, shares his gratitude for the inclusive and welcoming community he experiences as a faculty member at WPI. 

Preview

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. 

Preview

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. 

News

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Contact DEIB

Stanley Horton EdD
Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
shorton@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