About our office

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility supports the University of Nevada in its mission to provide "outstanding learning, discovery, and engagement programs that serve the economic, social, environmental, and cultural needs of the citizens of Nevada, the nation, and the world."

We recognize that a 21st-century college education demands a deep engagement with the global community, which is only possible when every individual is invited and empowered to contribute.

Our goal is to foster awareness and understanding about the multitude of lived experiences within our community, not to elevate or prioritize one experience over any other.

Understanding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

The central goal of higher education is to create a robust educational environment that supports critical thinking, free inquiry, and an understanding of diverse values and points of view. Our ability to reach that goal relies on the core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as guiding principles.

Diversity

Diversity encompasses the full range of lived experiences, identities, and perspectives that shape our community — including social and cultural identities, thought, educational background, socioeconomic experience, family structure, and more. We recognize that this breadth of intersecting identities and experiences strengthens our institutions and deepens our collective understanding of the world, our work, and the communities we serve.

Equity

Equity is the principle of ensuring fair access to opportunities, resources, and support by recognizing that individuals have different experiences, circumstances, and needs. Achieving equity requires thoughtful attention to reducing barriers and addressing disparities. Our goal is to promote an environment where systems and practices support success for everyone, without bias, favoritism, or disadvantage.

Inclusion

Inclusion is the active and ongoing practice of creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are encouraged to participate, share ideas, and engage meaningfully on campus and in the greater community. We strive to ensure every interaction, initiative, and space reflects and supports the full breadth of our community.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a shared responsibility to ensure that environments, information, and experiences are usable and available to all people — including physical spaces, digital content, programs, and services. We are committed to meeting and exceeding accessibility standards so that everyone can fully access, engage with, and benefit from what the University offers.

Powering learning, discovery and engagement

Research excellence

Discovery is strengthened through collaboration among individuals with varied perspectives, experiences, and approaches to problem solving. Scholarship with global reach requires interdisciplinary engagement that connects faculty, students, staff and community partners across academic and professional fields. Transformative research is rigorous, innovative and responsive to the communities we serve.

Teaching & Learning Excellence

Excellence in knowledge transfer centers the lived experiences of all members of the classroom as an essential part of the learning process. Teaching excellence emphasizes the use of inclusive pedagogy and the creation of learning environments in which all students are supported and empowered to succeed.

Excellence in campus and community engagement

Meaningful engagement relies on mutual respect and a genuine desire to learn from others. It is defined by reciprocal partnerships that prioritize knowledge exchange, collaborative problem-solving, and socioeconomic growth that improves the circumstances of all members of our broader community.

Excellence in philanthropy and strategic investment

Financial contributions are critical to advancing the University’s educational and research mission. Also critical to that mission is the wealth of professional knowledge and experience and the commitment to civic engagement that is present across all supporters of this flagship institution.