Inclusive schools to add to your list

By Lola Black

The transition from high school to college can be overwhelming.

Leaving behind hometown comforts, family, and friends to step into a new and unfamiliar environment often brings anxiety to many students.On top of that, the path to college is rarely simple. From navigating advanced classes and standardized tests to understanding complicated financial aid packages and choosing the right degree programs, students are already exhausted by the time they arrive. The hope for many is that, after all this work, they will find a welcoming community where they belong.

This need for belonging is especially strong for students who have struggled with parts of their

identity or felt unable to fully express themselves in their hometowns. For them, college represents a

chance to discover who they are in a place that values openness and diversity.

In this month's focus on diversity, we've compiled a list of colleges that prioritize inclusivity.

These schools have made deliberate efforts to foster vibrant, safe, and welcoming environments where all

students can thrive and be themselves.

Inclusivity can take many different forms, so in order to give a full picture, we’ve broken it down into

four separate categories by geography:

Western Schools:

University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB)

As one of the few universities to be nestled right along the coast side, UCSB is the perfect choice for

surfers and sun-lovers alike. Beyond the schools strong academic profile and ideal setting, UCSB is

committed to ensuring the wellness of their students, as evident with the unique challenges developed in

partnership by students and staff to both conduct research and improve student wellbeing at the same

time. The UCSB Sleep Challenge is a 7-day challenge takes students through a series of modules aimed at

helping them improve their sleep quality and habits and henceforth their overall well being.

Pomona College & The Claremont Colleges:

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is often cited as the best of both worlds for boasting

the weather conditions of Southern California but also providing a serene campus environment more

comparable to the feel of an East coast school. This city is host to more than seven colleges that often

work in tandem to promote student wellbeing, such as the case with the Queer Resource Center of the

Claremont Colleges. This safe-space offers a place for students to hang out, though it also offers programs

such as drop in hours for students to talk with faulty about resources or getting involved and the annual

Trans Day of Resilience, aimed at empowering trans students through workshops such as Trans wellness.

Southern Schools:

Auburn University

Located in Auburn Alabama, Auburn University is one of the Souths largest and leading R1 research

universities, with well respected programs in fields Engineering, business and physical sciences. Though

beyond this, Auburn offers a two-year non degree program for students with intellectual disabilities called

the Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success (EAGLES) program. This program aims at

providing students with foundational life skills through community service projects, leadership trainings

and coursework. The program works in tandem with the fittingly named WINGS program that fosters

collaboration between traditional Auburn students, acting as peer mentors, and members of the EAGLES

program.

Mid-Western Schools:

The University of Michigan

Known for its renowned academics and athletics as well as a vibrant student life, The University of

Michigan is a dream destination for many. While the University supports various commitments to

accessibility and inclusion, it is well known for its support of students with mobility challenges through

the university’s Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). This program offers a range of

services, including Paratransit options, accessible parking, housing accommodations, adaptive technology,

and additional personalized accommodations to promote a navigable campus for students with mobility

challenges. The university’s commitment to establishing an accessible and inclusive environment extends

to their support of student mental well wbing as well. The main Ann Arbor campus hosts numerous

reflection rooms, as well as a dedicated Wellness Zone with massage chairs and meditation tools, ensuring

that students have many opportunities for relaxation and stress relief.

Northern-Eastern Schools:

Right in the heart of Boston, Northeastern University’s large student body, academic reputation, and

vibrant city life make it a prime environment for city lovers! With such a dynamic student scene, the

university prioritizes minority group inclusion through its Social Justice Resource Center (SJRC). The

SJRC provides resources and support focused on promoting social justice and inclusion, offering annual

programs and workshops like Peace Week and Social Justice Week to foster dialogue, reflection, and

action among students and faculty. Additionally, the EMPOWER Students of Color Collective creates a

supportive community, promoting academic success and personal growth while earning programing and

events aimed at ensuring inclusion of all students.

For students embarking on their college journey, the need for a supportive, inclusive environment is more

important than ever. While the schools listed are by no means the standard for inclusion, their unique

programs and approaches to addressing mental health concerns, accesiblilty for students with disabilites

or dedicated resources for minority groups, they can help to exemplify that college can be a place where

students from all walks of life are made to feel welcomed, supported and empowered to thrive both

socially and academically.