Diversity Profile

The College of William and Mary in Virginia is a community of teachers, students, and staff who share our national ideals of human equality, democracy, pluralism, and advancement based on merit. We give life to these principles—and prepare women and men to be citizens of the wider world—when we value diverse backgrounds, talents, and points of view.

As a community, William and Mary believes that cultural pluralism and intellectual freedom introduce us to new experiences, stimulate original ideas, enrich critical thinking, and give our work a broader reach. We cannot accomplish our mission of teaching, learning, discovery, and service without such diversity.

William and Mary belongs to all Virginians, to the nation, and to the world. Yet our College, like our country, failed for many years to open the door of opportunity to all people. In recent decades, William and Mary has made itself a more diverse community, and thus a better one. Structures and habits that create injustices, however, have yet to be fully banished from American society. We are committed to establishing justice.

The College of William and Mary strives to be a place where people of all backgrounds feel at home, where diversity is actively embraced, and where each individual takes responsibility for upholding the dignity of all members of the community.

- Approved by the Board of Visitors on November 17, 2006

Check out the School of Education's Statement on Diversity.

Student Affairs Diversity Statement

The Division of Student Affairs strives to ensure a safe, affirming, and nurturing environment for William and Mary students and staff. Inherent in this mission is a belief that a strong community is built upon, and enriched by, both commonalities and differences. Division members recognize and celebrate the fact that William and Mary students, staff, and faculty are diverse—varying in age, physical abilities and cognitive talents, socioeconomic status, political viewpoints, religious/spiritual and/or philosophical beliefs, and sexual, gender, and racial/ethnic identities. We actively demonstrate our commitment to the success of all community members through our programs, policies, and services. We foster a welcoming environment based upon open and considerate dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for individual differences.