Home at WU

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)

We take great pride in being a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive community that values and celebrates each other's differences.

Students cheering at Widener's homecoming

Welcome to Our Community

Our We're All Widener initiative demonstrates an approach and commitment to diversity in which a plurality of viewpoints are valued, explored, and seen as opportunities for learning and personal growth. 

Our focus on diversity emphasizes three key values:

  • We're all valued.
  • We're all contributors.
  • We're all Widener.
Aerial photo of Old Main, Widener's flagship building on campus

Our Commitment as a University

Widener's strategy reflects our commitment to adapt to rapid change and position the university and our community members to thrive. We accomplish this by empowering our community of learners to discover and create better futures.

Learn more about our strategy, mission, and history

Keep Exploring DEIB at Widener

Students sitting in a lounge area on computers

Resources and Support

Widener is committed to fostering an environment where its students, faculty, and staff are respected, valued, and heard. Throughout your journey at Widener, you will have access to a variety of resources and support to help you grow and flourish. Among these services and support systems are workshops and training sessions, accessibility services, and numerous committees dedicated to fostering and promoting an inclusive environment for all.

Student playing with bubbles on Founder's Day

Activities and Events

Widener has a plethora of activities and events throughout the year that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion, including Common Ground and DiversiTEA discussions, Black History Month, Pride Month, Women's History Month, International Education Week, and more. Be sure to mark your calendars. Through our diverse campus organizations, students, faculty, and staff can find their place at Widener.

students build a home during alternative spring break

Building Global Awareness

As a student you can partake in study abroad, immersion experiences, civic engagement opportunities, and other activities that will help push you out of your comfort zone and open the doors for you to engage with a diverse community on campus and far beyond. Faculty and staff are encouraged to join trips to help broaden their point of view and to volunteer for causes they are passionate about.

Pride in Our Differences

Colleges of Distinction Equity and Inclusion 2023-2024 Logo

A Culture of Equity & Inclusion

At Widener, our community is celebrated and encouraged to share their unique perspectives.

Logo for 2022 HEED (Higher Education Excellence in Diversity) award

Top College for Diversity

Widener received the 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Widener Universty named a 2023 great college to work for

2023 Great College to Work For

Widener was honored by The Chronicle of Higher Education in one of the largest, most-respected workplace recognition programs in the country.

international students in philadelphia

A Diverse Campus

You'll be welcomed into a community that hails from 49 states and 22 countries.

12+ Multicultural Student Organizations

Our campus is home to 12+ multicultural and interfaith recognized student organizations.

Resources for Success

A dedicated support network will help you navigate your international student experience.

Pride Perspectives

Widener student Ariana Hurtado-Day

Being able to have these internships and experiences outside of the classroom makes me feel happy because not only am I able to build connections, but I’m getting experience and understanding with the career that I want.

Ariana Hurtado-Day

Ariana's Story
Adonijah Allsup, wearing a blue fraternity sweater, poses next to a stone marked 1914

It’s really important to me to be involved in setting an image, especially for first-generation students or people who are shy or minority students on campus. I want to use my voice.

Adonijah Allsup

Adonijah's Story
Student holds a citizenship document while standing in front of a background with American flag and other Americana

Widener is definitely like a home away from home. I spend a lot of time here, so I’ve gotten used to the environment. It’s very comfortable and everyone here is really nice.

Dimple Gandevia

Dimple's Story
Desiree Junfijiah points to a computer screen she's working on

I feel like it’s my job to help someone who comes after me – women and also black people in tech. I think about myself. I didn’t have someone to look to.

Desiree Junfijiah

Desiree's Story
Headshot of Patton Vo

When I was struggling with my own identity, Widener never turned its back against me. And that’s exactly the type of experience I want to provide other students.

Patton Vo

Patton's Story
Jose-Luis Vasquez stands on platform in front of high school graduates in caps and gowns

What I’ve learned through the MEd program is the skills to succeed, whether it is organizational administration, coaching and developing leaders, or even the vernacular to know what is going on in the world of higher education.

Jose-Luis Vasquez

Jose-Luis's Story

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