Milestones in diversity, equity, and inclusion at BU: programs that make a difference

In last week’s blog post, we highlighted some of the remarkable people who represent Boston University’s long and distinguished history of diversity and inclusion. Today we pay homage to the programs that have carried forth that mission. A few examples: BU was the first US university to admit women to a medical college and among the first to open all of its divisions to women. It recently expanded its 13-year partnership with the Posse Foundation, a national scholarship program that works to expand the pool from which top colleges and universities can recruit young leaders from diverse backgrounds. Reaching into the community, BU managed the schools of Chelsea, Mass., for 10 years, bringing the city’s once-failing schools up to par.

Below are just six more of the pioneering programs that have made the University a leader in this arena.

Advancing African studies

The African Studies Center (ASC) at BU is among the oldest and most respected African studies programs in the United States. Founded in 1953, it provides s rigorous academic program in African language and area studies to students pursuing degrees in a variety of fields. More than 100 faculty and researchers in schools and departments across the University are affiliated with the ASC. It is federally funded under Title VI as a National Resource Center—the only Title VI center at BU and one of only two Title VI Africa centers in New England. The ASC also offers a rich, diverse program to the community: In the weekly Walter Rodney Seminar Series, faculty and students engage with some of the top Africanist scholars. Regular programs such as the African Film Series, Morse Lecture, Graduate Student Conference, and African Theater Night offer additional opportunities for scholarly engagement.
You can learn more about the ASC here, here, and here.

Promoting opportunities for women

Established in 1956 by Elsbeth Melville, then dean of women, the Boston University Women’s Guild sponsors events to bring women on BU’s faculty and staff together and to raise money for the Guild Scholarship Fund, awarded to women graduate students over the age of 30. These scholarships have supported scholarship ranging from field research in the rainforests of Indonesia on the nutrient drivers of orangutan foraging to clinic-based strategies to prevent opioid overdose deaths. The Guild recently launched several initiatives to further diversity and inclusion within its ranks. They include the Women of Color Circle and standardizing accessibility and accommodations in event planning in partnership with the Office of Disability Services.
You can learn more about the BU Women’s Guild here, here, and here.

Bringing education behind bars

Founded by labor organizer, tenant activist, and BU Professor Elizabeth Barker, in 1972 the Prison Education Program offered its first credit-bearing college courses at MCI-Norfolk prison, a medium security prison for men. It is the oldest Prison Education Program in the country and continues to be nationally recognized today. What inspired Barker to found the program? She had developed the G.E. Quiz Bowl for BU students after learning of a similar Quiz Bowl team among prisoners at MCI/Norfolk. She thought a match between her BU students and a team of convicted felons might be good practice. Alas, BU lost. In 1989, the PEP expanded to MCI/Bay State, also a medium-security prison for men, and in 1991 brought in MCI/Framingham—Massachusetts’ only penal institution for women. The program offers its students both a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies.

You can learn more about the BU Prison Education Program here, here, and here.

Creating common ground

The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground was founded by Dean Emeritus George K. Makechnie (Wheelock’29,’31, Hon.’79) in 1986 to preserve and share the legacy of Howard Thurman, dean of Marsh Chapel from 1953 to 1965 and the first Black dean in a predominantly white university. Thurman spent his life working to break barriers of divisiveness that separate people based on race, culture, religion, ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity. Since its founding, the center has expanded exponentially, moving from its original home in the basement of the George Sherman Union to a 19,000-square-foot gloriously renovated space at 808 Commonwealth Ave., smack in the center of the Charles River Campus, in January 2020. Programs run the gamut: from discussions, lectures, and films, to student-run podcasts, blogs, arts groups, book clubs, and much more. “Come in and come alive,” the website urges. “Push your boundaries!”
You can learn more about the Thurman Center here, here, and here.

Welcoming trailblazers

Being the first in your family to go to college can be daunting. How do you navigate the thicket of financial aid, find a mentor, know which classes to register for? BU President Robert A. Brown understands: he too was a first-generation college student. To support these students, in 2008 BU launched First Gen Connect, a program based in the University Service Center to help first-generation students have a smooth and successful transition from high school to college and beyond. The program provides students with a home base as soon as they are admitted to BU, offering summer welcome receptions, social events, and special workshops. A monthly newsletter keeps students informed about ongoing activities, and programs such as First Gen Library Connection help them explore the University’s resources with a personal guide. In January, BU will open the Newbury Center, an expansive and comprehensive support center for first-generation students from matriculation through graduation.

You can learn more about resources for first-generation students here, here, and here.

Coming together to learn, reflect

In light of the turbulence and continuing systemic racism facing our nation, in June Boston University held a day of learning and reflection on race, racism, and their impact on our society for the entire BU community. Called “A Day of Collective Engagement: Racism and Antiracism, Our Realities and Our Roles,” the 13 sessions covered topics from “A Conversation About White Allyship, Advocacy & Leadership” to “A Clergy Conversation on Strategies for Change in Race Relations,” from “Psychological and Physiological Impacts of Racism” to “Racial Violence and the Law: A Sordid History.” Attendees heard the thoughts, and personal experiences, of renowned BU faculty including Ibram X. Kendi, Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities and founding director of the new Center for Antiracist Research; Angela Onwuachi-Willig, dean of the School of Law and professor of law; Carrie Preston, professor of English and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, Arvind & Chandan Nandlal Kilachand Professor, and director of the Kilachand Honors College; and Jorge Delva, dean of the School of Social Work and director and Paul Farmer Professor of the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health.

You can learn more about the Day of Collective Engagement and view the presentations here and find full coverage of the events here.

To see more milestones in BU’s history of diversity and inclusion, please click here.