Diversity and Inclusion

West Virginia University Department of Psychology

Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is essential to achieve academic excellence within our department. Diverse students and faculty generate rich ideas, enhance our perspectives, and cultivate an energized academic climate. The Department of Psychology at West Virginia University aims to increase representation of students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, age, socioeconomic status, and ability. We strive to pursue excellence across our research, teaching, and service, and know that diversity is essential to this mission.

Our Department promotes this culture of diversity and inclusion throughout our research, teaching, and service. The Department of Psychology is committed to recruiting, admitting, enrolling, and retaining students from differing backgrounds and identities who bring in varying perspectives, talents, and ideas. The department also is committed to recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and retaining faculty and staff from diverse cultural groups. As a Department, we believe that diversity and inclusion are vital to our mission of fostering innovation in research, teaching, and service. We reject racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive department does not occur spontaneously and requires intentional actions. Diversity should be prioritized, and a strategic plan is necessary to achieve such goals. Given our strong commitment to this mission, the Department has established a Diversity Committee consisting of graduate students, undergraduates, and faculty. This Committee is charged to annually propose an updated plan for departmental consideration and action.