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Before coming to Gwynedd, I never knew the importance of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Where I grew up and went to school, no one ever taught me the importance of these topics, there were almost hidden to me. I felt like growing up, if it didn ' t apply to you, you didn ' t need to be taught about.
Through the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program, They taught me how to not only respect myself but to think about the respect and dignity of others. The trainings I’ ve taken, the presentations I’ ve watched, and the uncomfortable but needed conversations I’ ve had here truly changed my life. I learned the importance of education, and just how powerful it is. I learned who I am and what I truly believe in, and how to speak up for those who feel like they don ' t have a voice.
STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Gwynedd Mercy University’ s core values of integrity in word and deed, respect for the dignity of all people, service to society, and social justice in a diverse world, place inclusive excellence at the center of our daily work and relationships as a Catholic, Mercy university.
Inclusive excellence recognizes that to advance our mission successfully, we must value, engage, and include the rich diversity of all the members of our community.
In seeking to live this commitment faithfully, we must first acknowledge how we are continuously influenced by the collective history of systemic inequity in society at large, despite our commitment to inclusivity. We must learn from our failures and build upon our successes to work toward a more inclusive institution that is rooted in Mercy.
To achieve this, our community must meaningfully internalize this work of transformation; it will require all to engage in collaborative implementation that strategically integrates inclusion and radical mercy into the curriculum, co-curriculum, administrative structures, practices, decision-making, and culture.
I ' m proud to be graduating with a bachelor degree in Social Work, to help those who need someone to be their voice and to believe in them. I looked forward to helping people in my career, no matter who they are, find their own voice, and learn who to advocate for themselves, just like this program helped me.
– Erin Huggard’ 26
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