Our Mission

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are core to the mission and values of the College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) — and integral to our excellence in discovery, learning, engagement and community. We are committed to the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students with diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds and perspectives. To that end, we seek to cultivate and sustain an inclusive environment in which individuals receive support and experience a sense of belonging. We intentionally seek to establish and maintain unbiased practices, procedures, policies and learning opportunities that are critical for equitable outcomes. Our learning, research and engagement must occur without prejudice, bias, intimidation, intolerance or discrimination.

Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Together

The associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion leads DEI efforts within HHS, developing and leading college-wide initiatives to successfully advance related programming and priorities. An assistant director for diversity, equity and inclusion contributes to the development, implementation and assessment of supporting policies, practices and initiatives. Each HHS department and school also has a dedicated director of diversity, equity and inclusion who heads their department or school’s DEI committee. College-level and student committees also contribute to HHS’ all-inclusive approach to DEI strategies and initiatives.

Purdue HHS Mentors team building
Students talking

HHS Connex

Through the Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Connex program, students have access to additional college-specific events, activities, and experiences that are designed to foster community, belongingness and allyship among HHS undergraduates. During the academic year, HHS Connex provides a variety of programming to foster community and belonging for underrepresented students through career development workshops, research sessions, social networking events, academic engagement and collaboration across campus.

Additionally, the HHS Connex Summer Experience offers programming specifically designed to welcome underrepresented students to the HHS community. Upwards of 50 first year students live and learn together through a cohort-style HHS course, peer mentoring and social activities designed for personal and professional community-building.

Native Land Acknowledgement

THE LAND WE’RE ON

THE LAND THAT SURROUNDS US IS PART OF WHO WE ARE; IT REFLECTS OUR HISTORIES.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the College of Health and Human Sciences acknowledges that Purdue University is built on and near the ancestral homelands of the Indigenous people. We honor and appreciate the Bodéwadmik (Potawatomi), Lenape (Delaware), Myaamia (Miami), and Shawnee people who are the original Indigenous caretakers of this land. To learn more about the Indigenous nations represented at Purdue University and their activities, visit our Native American Educational and Cultural Center.

Department and School DEI Initiatives

Each HHS department and school is taking its own small steps and giant leaps toward creating diverse, equitable and inclusive environments.

Students studying in a group

Get Involved in Our DEI Initiatives

HHS offers a variety of diversity, equity and inclusion programming for students, faculty and staff, from college-wide activities, such as our Critical Conversations series and awards, to department- and school-level opportunities that include courses for college credit, DEI-focused seminars and more. Our HHS Success Mentors program matches first-year undergraduate students with a student mentor who shares similar interests and experiences. The HHS Graduate Excellence Fellowship is designed to aid in the recruitment of doctoral students who show exceptional promise for contributing to the College’s mission of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Funding is also available for HHS students to participate in DEI-focused training, workshops and other learning opportunities. Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in the HHS DEI Science Consortium, which offers a multidisciplinary platform to elevate science and practices to guide a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space.

HHS Success Mentors Program HHS DEI Science Consortium

DEI Research

Whether they’re investigating ways to dismantle oppressive policies and systems that lead to health disparities or understanding the internal processes by which individuals accept and reject others, researchers in the College of Health and Human Sciences are engaged in a variety of research topics to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in local communities, across the country and around the world. The HHS DEI Small Grants Program facilitates and supports research that is relevant to issues of DEI and/or focuses on underrepresented minority populations or people belonging to stigmatized or underrepresented groups. Details for the spring 2023 initiative will be announced by December 15, 2022.

Person sitting on couch

Providing Suggestions

Input and Suggestions

We welcome you to submit suggestions and feedback regarding diversity, equity and inclusion relevant to the College of Health and Human Sciences. Your submission will be reviewed and may be brought forth to the HHS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for discussion and action planning. If you would like to be contacted, please let us know. If you prefer to remain anonymous, simply leave your contact information blank. Thank you for taking the time to provide your input and/or suggestion.

Contact Us

Margo Monteith

Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Distinguished Professor of Social Psychology

Tammy Conard-Salvo

Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion