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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Rackham provides funding to graduate programs and sponsors numerous activities aimed at recruiting an outstanding and inclusive student body. We seek to provide intellectual, social, emotional, and financial support so that students from groups that are historically underrepresented in higher education or in their fields feel welcome and thrive in their studies.

Rackham Graduate School has a history and tradition of valuing the diversity of our students as an essential dimension of excellence in graduate education. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan emphasizes four domains in which we are focusing our efforts:

  1. Recruitment
  2. High-Quality Academic and Professional Environment
  3. Retention
  4. Service, Partnership, and Collaboration

DEI Strategic Plan

Rackham’s five-year strategic plan aims to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of a university-wide effort.

Read the Full Plan

Recent DEI Posts

A group of people sitting on couches and chairs having a discussion in a well-lit room.

Affinity Community Resource Week 2024

Join us for Affinity Community Resource Week, Monday, September 16 to Friday, September 20

Colorful silhouettes of multiple overlapping faces against a textured pink and purple background.

Advancing DEI Education in Grad School

Rackham Ph.D. candidate Jarett Haley and Ph.D. student Amber Williams share insights into grad student experiences with DEI education and engagement opportunities.

Three women posing in front of a the U-M “block M” sign at a conference.

SROP Participants Shine at National Academic Conferences

With financial support from Rackham, Summer Research Opportunity Program students presented at two national academic conferences in the fall 2023 semester. Three students went on to secure research awards.

A group photo at the 2019 DEI Certificate end-of-year celebration.

Environmental Justice and DEI

Rackham alum Rebeca Villegas applies skills learned during Rackham’s Professional Development DEI Certificate Program to her work advancing environmental justice at the National Wildlife Federation.

A graphic of two women helping each other climb a mountain.

Supporting Equity Through the Job Search

Rackham Professional and Academic Development Program Lead Deborah Willis writes about vetting prospective employers for commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Graduate Student Community

Rackham takes great pride in the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the members of our graduate community.

Student Organizations

Upcoming DEI Events

View Calendar

Supporting Diverse Graduate Students

Barbour Scholars

Among the oldest and most prestigious awards granted by the University of Michigan, offering funding to female students from Asia and the Middle East since 1917.

Bouchet Honor Society

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate.

Building Bridges to the Doctorate

The Building Bridges to the Doctorate program attracts a diverse student body into doctoral education—especially students from historically underrepresented groups—and fully funds students’ master’s educations.

Faculty Allies for Diversity in Graduate Education

The Faculty Allies for Diversity is a group of faculty members who work within their programs and in collaboration with Rackham’s diversity initiatives on recruitment, admissions, climate, retention, and completion issues.

Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars Program (MICHHERS)

The Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars Program was launched in 2015 to increase opportunities for students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees in the humanities.

Rackham DEI Professional Development Certificate

This new, innovative certificate program is designed to prepare graduate students to work in a diverse environment while fostering a climate of inclusiveness.

The Rackham Merit Fellowship (RMF) Connection

The Rackham Merit Fellowship Connection is a program designed to assist and cultivate community among newly admitted RMF doctoral students.

Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)

Rackham’s Summer Research Opportunity Program offers outstanding undergraduates underrepresented in their field of study the opportunity to conduct research on our campus during the summer.