Cover Letter writing - diversity

[khalloc]

I'm applying for a job at a college/university. Nowadays they are interested in diversity and inclusion, and they "encourage you to include how you will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the institution". I'm kind of at a loss on how to say something about that considering I am Caucasian. Any tips? I'm a welcoming and open minded person.

[wendibird22]

I work on a college campus and look for this type of thing in cover letters. The things that stand out are indications of diversity/inclusion training you have participated in as professional development, examples of how you have changed your work (pedagogy, policies, practices, programs) to be more inclusive of diverse students/faculty/staff, or how you would use your role/approach your work to be inclusive. You might want to reference the college's diversity statement and/or their diversity strategic plan. You could discuss your understanding of your role as an ally. So there's a lot of different ways to go.

[sariana]

Also keep in mind that "diversity" refers to more than just ethnicity. It also includes learning differences, socioeconomic status, non-traditional educational paths, politics, gender issues/identity, sexual orientation, and more.

[gymnbomb]

This is something we require of applicants -- HR won't approve job postings that don't require it. It can include things like research focusing on a diverse (sariana provided good examples of different kinds of "diverse") population, experience mentoring diverse students, developing a class that includes a diversity component, and things like having lived in other countries or taken students to other countries, etc. We care a lot less about what it is you do that contributes to diversity, and more that you say you did something.

[khalloc]

This is something we require of applicants -- HR won't approve job postings that don't require it. It can include things like research focusing on a diverse (sariana provided good examples of different kinds of "diverse") population, experience mentoring diverse students, developing a class that includes a diversity component, and things like having lived in other countries or taken students to other countries, etc. We care a lot less about what it is you do that contributes to diversity, and more that you say you did something.

Opps. Guessed I posted this in the wrong forum by accident. But great advice! I appreciate the comments. I did take part in some LGBTQ and gender identity training at my current job, so I'll try to write about that.