Two years ago, Temple University affirmed its commitment to fighting racism through focused efforts on advocacy, programming, research and training when it officially

As language and identity continue evolving, knowing when to use certain terms can be tricky. One complex case includes the usage of Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx and Latine.

For the third year in a row, Temple University has won the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award. This national recognition, awarded by Insight into Diversity magazine, recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The comprehensive application covers a variety of areas and is used by Temple to assess best practices. Temple University's interest in applying for the HEED Diversity Awards stems from its deep and longstanding mission to provide accessible, high-quality education to one of the nation's...

The university’s intentional efforts to increase the representation of students of color, first-generation students, and international students, as well as pathways to college programs, the test optional entrance requirements, and Temple Promise have worked together to achieve the desired effects of diversifying our student population and fulfilling Russell Conwell’s mission. We have experienced significant progress to an already impressive record. Among the student body for the 2023-2024 academic year, Temple still does not have an ethnic majority in the incoming first year...

“I realized that South Africa's past is not as black and white as it seems in a classroom," reflected Sophomore Hanifa Savage. "Hearing personal accounts from those who lived through Apartheid made me understand that its impacts continue in subtle ways.” Similarly, Senior Kennedy Brown observed, "the South Africans' honest discussions about their past highlighted the importance of radical honesty. Acknowledging past wrongs is crucial for reconciliation and healing, something we often struggle with in the U.S." A distinctive aspect of the Global X Learning trip is the...

The Office of Institutional Diversity. Equity, Advocacy and Leadership's Global Experiential Learning (Global X) trip to South Africa, hosted in partnership with International Student Affairs (ISA), has once again provided a profound learning experience. After resuming in 2022, following a one-year pandemic pause, the program provides students with an in-depth exploration of anti-racism and gentrification by comparing South Africa's Apartheid system with racial issues in the United States. Since its inception in 2019, the Global X Learning trip has been designed to enhance...

Institutional Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership (IDEAL) proudly remembers and honors the life of Michelle Benns-Cook, a dedicated Temple Owl, who passed away unexpectedly last spring. Michelle was a committed faculty and staff member within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and was a passionate advocate for social justice. Her tireless efforts and unwavering support for IDEAL's mission have left an indelible mark on our department and the University. Michelle played a pivotal role as an active member of the DEI Collaborative—a coalition of...

In addition to her role in the DEI Collaborative, Michelle served as an Equal Opportunity Ombudsperson. In this capacity, she worked with faculty, staff and students to address informal complaints of discrimination, harassment and bias. Despite the often challenging nature of these cases, Michelle approached each one with a positive attitude, a genuine willingness to listen and learn and a focused determination to find solutions. Michelle's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extended far beyond her professional responsibilities. She completed the Graduate...