About
The Mission of GovState is to promote diversity and foster equity. The philosophy, strategic plan, and practices inherent at GovState embody this ideal by encouraging us to pursue the goals of diversity, inclusion, and equity as essential components of creating education that transforms; connections that endure, and communities that flourish.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) Statement
Governors State University is committed to supporting a welcoming, richly diverse campus community where all students, faculty, and staff thrive, feel valued, and experience a sense of belonging. An inclusive excellence framework is designed to support the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into the core functions and operations of the university while advancing our efforts to obtain educational excellence through GovState’s four DEI goals:
- Goal 1: Improve recruitment, retention, persistence, completion, and advancement of students from underrepresented communities.
- Goal 2: Improve the recruitment, retention, and advancement of faculty and staff from underrepresented communities.
- Goal 3: Support inclusive excellence within the formal curriculum and with our co-curricular and extra-curricular experiences.
- Goal 4: Engage with our alumni and with local, national, and international communities to encourage the pursuit of inclusive excellence beyond the boundaries of GovState.
What's New?
Conversations with Leaders: Joi Patterson
font-size: 18px;Decades before becoming Governors State University’s (GovState's) Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), Dr. Joi Patterson never had dreams of teaching or working in education. “I never thought becoming a teacher was something I could do,” says Patterson, a Chicago native, who didn’t encounter a minority teacher until graduate school.
Read More from the Conversation with Joi Patterson
Upcoming Events
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Students, Faculty, Staff, and Community Members are invited to join us on the campus of Governors State University for our Land Acknowledgement Dedication Ceremony.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. Land Acknowledgement Statement - Outside on the Circle Drive (at the Bell Tower)
1:30 p.m. Celebration through crafts, singing, dancing, and ethnic food – Engbretson Hall
2:00 p.m. Workshop provided by the American Indian Center of Chicago – Engbretson Hall
We hope you will join us for this moment in history.
This event will begin outdoors, so please dress accordingly.
Registration is strongly encouraged.
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Safe Zone Training – Part I
The Safe Zone program at Governors State University (GovState) promotes an inclusive and welcoming environment for the more than 20% of our GovState population identify with the LGBTQ+ community. You can learn more about LGBTQ+ identities, gender, and sexuality. You will also examine prejudice, assumptions, privilege, and the limitation of oppression. Participants will earn a micro-credential and a “Safe Zone” sticker. This visual indicator communicates to others that you are open to talking about and being supportive of people who identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning +) individuals and identities. GovState Safe Zone Training for Employees, Student Employees, and Community Partners. Thursday, October 24, 2024 1:00 – 2:30 Presented by Mr. Jarrett Neal and Mr. Eddie Gamboa | 
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Room D34005 Lunch Provided RSVP Required Visit the DEI Events page for more information. |
Visit our DEI Events web page for more events
Lunch and Learn
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 12:30 – 1:15 p.m
Room D34011
Snacks will be provided
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
| 9.25.24 | Championing Equity: Supporting Undocumented/DACA
Students on Campus | Emmanuel Lopez |
| 10.9.24 | How to Support LGBTQ+ Students and Employees | Kelly Gawel and Ciclón Olivares |
| 10.23.24 | Jaguar Jumps: Increasing Access for Student with Disabilities | Michelle Sebasco |
| 11.13.24 | Housing Insecurities | Angela Johnson |
| 12.11.24 | First Generation Students | Hajja Madinah Yamini and Janae Brown |
Learn more about Lunch & Learn
DEI Council Meetings
Every 3rd Friday at 1:00 p.m. in Room G227