Diversity

Inclusion and Women’s Studies

The College of Arts & Sciences is excited to launch two new minors and two new certificates in fall 2023 with a goal towards encouraging students to learn more about diversity and inclusivity. The programs seek to address CAS’s strategic goals that encourage interdisciplinarity and inclusivity.

A newly created interdisciplinary program in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) will encourage students to consider the cultural constructions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, age, disability, social class, and their intersectionality. Programs that foster greater understanding of diversity and inclusion serve to prepare students for a workplace and world that understands, appreciates, and values difference. Students may choose to earn a minor in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (18 hours of coursework), or a certificate (12 hours). The program is housed in the Social Science Division, but courses are included from across CAS.

The new Women’s Studies program will be housed in the Humanities Division and also includes a minor (18 hours) and certificate (12 hours). Women’s Studies provides students an interdisciplinary exploration of feminist theory, women’s history, and the intersection of gender and society. The minor and certificate in Women’s Studies will prepare students for professional careers that include government, social services, healthcare, management, and education.

“These programs will be a great way to diversify students’ resumes,” Mackenzie Smith, junior, said.

*Pending approval upon review by SACSCOC, UPIKE’s regional accreditor.

Patton College of Education:

PCOE faculty Dr. Michael King and Mr. David Slone, along with UPIKE’s Chaplain Dr. Rob Musick, collaborate on planning field experience for our teacher candidates. Field experiences take place in two schools – one in the Lexington area and one in Grundy, Virginia. Another experience helps students learn about different faith communities by visiting a Mosque and a Hindu Temple in Lexington. The experiences give our teacher candidates the opportunity to explore and address ways to best facilitate learning and build acceptance and rapport among diverse students in a variety of contexts. Serving a university in Central Appalachia, we strive to provide our teacher candidates with opportunities to understand and accommodate the needs of all students.