Rackham Professional Development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate
Rackham is committed to enhancing the development and training offerings related to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all University of Michigan graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and is now offering a Professional Development DEI Certificate. This program (open only to University of Michigan graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) is designed to prepare participants to work in a diverse environment while fostering a climate of inclusivity.
Please note: The 2022-2023 DEI Certificate Program application cycle is now closed. Please check back in mid-August of 2023 for the application portal opening.
Program Details
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will possess:
- Increased DEI knowledge and skills to prepare them for a diverse and global job market
- The ability to accurately define and conceptualize DEI terms
- Opportunities for further engagement in DEI scholarship and leadership positions
- A diversity statement that demonstrates commitment to DEI
- An official certificate of completion, signed by the dean of Rackham Graduate School and the University of Michigan chief diversity officer, which can be listed on a curriculum vitae or resume
Eligibility
The program is open only to University of Michigan graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Please note that space in the DEI Certificate program is limited. Rackham will be working with programs to assist us in assessing applications.
Participant Commitments
- Complete five core DEI professional development trainings/workshops.
- Attend a minimum of five additional non-core DEI professional development workshops.
- Submit a reflection form within 72 hours of completing each workshop using their dashboard (linked below). Additional instructions on submission will be provided to participants upon acceptance to the program.
- Submit a diversity statement that integrates and highlights their DEI professional development experiences.
- Conduct an informational interview.
- Participate in the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Assessment: pre-survey, group meeting, individual assessment, and post-survey.
- Program requirements will take approximately 30 hours to complete.
Core Trainings
Participants must complete the five core professional development diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings listed in this section. Rackham will offer sessions related to these topics, or you can attend an equivalent training. Participation in events and workshops does not have to take place in any particular order.
Core Trainings List
- Learning About Racism/Anti-Racism
- Demonstrating a Commitment to Diversity/Writing a Diversity Statement
- Bystander Intervention
- Unconscious Bias
- Creating an Inclusive Environment/Connecting Across Differences
Completing the Certificate
All program requirements must be completed in two years, and participants will need to complete all program requirements before graduating. Participants can successfully complete the certificate in one academic year for a more intensive experience.

Program Dashboard for Current Participants
Use the program dashboard to submit your reflection forms after participating in an event or workshop.
DEI Certificate Ceremony
Congratulations to everyone who received their Rackham Professional Development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificates! We wish we could celebrate with you in person, but we’re pleased to recognize your accomplishment nonetheless! Visit our DEI Certificate Ceremony page to see messages of congratulations from Rackham Dean Mike Solomon and others to all of our 2021 certificate recipients.
Contact Professional Development and Engagement
1530 Rackham Building
915 East Washington Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070
Email: rack-prof-dev@umich.edu
Hours
Professional Development and Engagement is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The office is closed Saturdays and Sundays and on university holidays.