Long before “DEI” became a buzzword, the University of Michigan became a trailblazer in building a great institution that is welcoming to people from all backgrounds.
I know, because I’ve spent the better part of my career at U-M, witnessing this work firsthand. Part of the special sauce is a steadfast commitment to inclusive excellence in faculty hiring.
The result: a diverse and excellent faculty serving not just the university, but also the state and the world.
Consider, for instance, Michigan’s Department of Psychology. I am deeply honored to have been part of this department since the year 2000. This is one of the best psychology programs in the nation, according to many rankings. It also has one of the most diverse faculties. We see that in not just demographics, but also disciplinary breadth (spanning nine different domains of the field).
University of Michigan’s campus in Ann Arbor during dusk on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
What’s more, Michigan Psychology is on the leading edge of diversity science (an interdisciplinary field that uses rigorous methods to investigate causes, consequences and complexities of human difference). No other psychology program can boast as many experts in the scientific study of race, gender, sexuality and culture. For these achievements, we can thank 30 years of faculty hiring that prioritized two things: diversity and excellence.
Read the full article on the Detroit Free Press.
