Diversity Profile
Drexel is committed to an environment of equal opportunity in education and employment, and to taking action to create such an environment. In the administration of our admissions policies, educational policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs and all other programs and activities, the University prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran or special disabled veteran, gender identity and expression, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and any other prohibited characteristic. Moreover, Drexel does not tolerate unlawful harassment of any kind.
Drexel’s strategic plan, “Transforming the Modern Urban University,” defined diversity as a shared value of our community and committed to “create and support a diverse university in all of its manifestations both because diversity has instrumental value — it makes Drexel’s students, faculty, and University community more competitive globally — and because diversity has inherent value — it fosters understanding, respect, and opportunity — thereby forging a better university for all.”
In keeping with our goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, in 2012 President John Fry commissioned the Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Committee. Four subcommittees focus on diversity efforts for specific constituent groups: students, faculty, professional staff and community.
The mission of the Intercultural Engagement & Diversity Collaborative is to integrate diversity into the fabric of the university — its curricular and co-curricular offerings, policies, programs and practices — and to foster a community grounded in respect for differences that engages with openness and humility.
The I-Forum provides a venue for Drexel stakeholders to receive updates on the Intercultural Engagement & Diversity Collaborative, engage in structured conversations related to the University’s vision of diversity, exchange ideas and practices based on individual and institution-level efforts to put our intercultural and diversity priorities into practice, cultivate a sense of collective accountability to more effectively reach those priorities and celebrate intercultural and diversity efforts.
The President’s Award for Intercultural Engagement & Diversity is presented annually in recognition of significant contributions that promote awareness of and respect for diversity, create opportunities for intercultural engagement and build upon Drexel’s founding principle of inclusion.
Civic engagement not only unites neighborhoods — it also educates students in problem solving, understanding diversity, good citizenship and leadership. These attributes are part of Drexel’s mission. Drexel is committed to solving real problems and making a difference in the lives of our students and our neighbors.
Drexel supports three types of civic engagement: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, public service by students and faculty and business practices that support local economic development.
Drexel is proud to be an anchor institution in West Philadelphia and University City, focusing on the success of the neighborhoods around our campus through economic inclusion, enhanced educational opportunities, supporting healthy families and partnering in the community. Engagement is long-term and multi-generational, and it is fundamental to Drexel's mission, heritage and future.