Our Mission

The Office of Institutional Diversity opened in 2015 to plan, lead and implement, in collaboration with university partners, institutional change actions and initiatives to advance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout all facets of Oregon State University. The work of the office advances more rapid progress towards Oregon State’s highest aspirations for inclusive excellence.

Social Justice Framework

The Office of Institutional Diversity conducts its work through a social justice framework. This framework organizes the work we do to advance inclusive excellence at Oregon State University, and also how we do it.

Our social justice framework is guided by the following principles:

  • Focusing on overcoming institutional structural barriers
  • Counteracting unfairness and inequity
  • Paying attention to how people, policies, practices and every part of the organization can collaborate
  • Recognizing the importance and impact of historical and institutionalized social categories including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability and others
  • Actively addressesing dynamics of bias, oppression and privilege
  • Recognizing that every member of the university plays a key role in advancing the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion

The Office of Institutional Diversity advance its work utilizing a social justice framework by:

  • Raising awareness
  • Working to identify the root causes for injustice
  • Creating capacity
  • Building networks and partnerships
  • Influencing decision-making across the institution
  • Monitoring and regularly reporting outcomes

History of the Office

On December 7, 2015, President Ed Ray announced the creation of the Office of Institutional Diversity and the Chief Diversity Officer position to intensify the focus on attaining goals related to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice at Oregon State University. In June 2017, Oregon State University welcomed Dr. Charlene Alexander into her role as Oregon State's first Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. Dr. Alexander, along with the Office of Institutional Diversity team,  oversee institutional change actions and initiatives to create an Oregon State community characterized in all it does by inclusive excellence.

Learn more about Oregon State University's recent efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse university:

Meet the current members of the Office of Institutional Diversity team.