Our Statement of Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our office’s core function, and the foundation of our work, is to be a resource to students facing barriers to their ability to persist and thrive at Georgetown University. We believe the 2020 Cultural Climate Survey results have affirmed the reality of the Georgetown experience for historically marginalized, oppressed, and excluded groups. We acknowledge the past and current work of students, staff, and faculty who have used their voice to name and address the injustices, inequities, and disparities that exist both outside and within our community. Any campus culture permeated by the insidious ideals of white supremacy only serves to reinforce systemic inequality, and contributes to the ongoing trauma, pain and fear experienced by Black, Indigenous and People of Color, as well as those from marginalized and historically oppressed populations. The Office of Student Outreach and Support will not ignore the words spoken, narratives shared, and emotional weight carried to bring forth these realities, and we commit to raise our voice and act against injustice. 

We seek to listen to and understand the experiences, values, and preferences of each individual we work with in order to honor the dignity of every student in our community.  We strive to provide compassionate support and intersectional advocacy in order to connect students, both undergraduate and graduate, to resources that will sustain their ability to flourish at Georgetown. We commit to serving students with humility and respect as we continue on-going education to increase our own awareness and cultural competence. We acknowledge that it is ON US to earn and keep your trust.  The Office of Student Outreach and Support will act and we will hold ourselves individually and collectively accountable.

We take responsibility for:

• Posting a list of completed and upcoming trainings and professional development experiences related to diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and anti-racism 
• Extending our staff meetings on a monthly basis to dedicate specific time for topics of diversity and inclusion, to advance our team’s awareness and knowledge,and further inform the ways in which we support students
• Staying connected and informed on the operations and resources offered by the University’s cultural and identity-based centers 
• Seeking on-going student feedback about the interactions they have had and their experiences with the Office of Student Outreach and Support
• Creating individual and departmental professional development goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion including updating our DEI statement to amplify the voices of all four staff members during fall 2021

Please note that this is a living document and will be updated on a regular basis. We recognize that there is much work to be done. The commitments and action steps outlined here are a starting point, and are not a reflection of a finished product. 

Nikeya Sharp, Jimmy Thren, Katie Boin, Amanda Dickinson Beirne