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 2023-2024 DEI Certificate Program (DEICP) application cycle is now closed. Please check back in mid-to-late August of 2024, for the application portal opening.
If you have any questions, please email us at rack-dei-certificate@umich.edu
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
For U-M graduate students and postdoctoral scholars accepted into the DEICP, there are no additional costs or fees associated with participating in the DEICP as it is included in your tuition. The program is not credit bearing and will not appear on your transcript. The DEICP is a hybrid program, and while we offer both in-person and online (via Zoom) workshops, it can be completed solely online.
Eligibility
Only University of Michigan graduate students and postdoctoral scholars (on all three campuses; Flint, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor) are eligible to apply and participate in the DEICP. 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.
- Complete the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI): pre-survey, group meeting, and post-survey. Participation in the individual IDI coaching session is optional this academic year (‘23-‘24).
- 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. 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 within two academic years of being accepted into the program, prior to graduating from the University of Michigan, or prior to completing your postdoctoral program (whichever occurs first). While we provide our participants up to two academic years to complete the DEICP, our program evaluation research indicates that intercultural development gains are greatest when the program is completed in one year. You must be currently enrolled as a University of Michigan graduate student or postdoctoral scholar at the time you submit your application and when you complete your requirements.
Program Dashboard for Current Participants
Use the program dashboard to submit your reflection forms after participating in an event or workshop.
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.