Office of Engagement & Belonging

Mission

The Office of Engagement & Belonging provides oversight, assessment and consultation to support, educate and guide on issues that impact the culture of the College of Fine Arts community. We work to cultivate broader understanding of cultural influences and intersecting identities and welcome discourse to engage in growth and action.

Vision

Through shared knowledge creation, utilizing restorative practices and intentional programming, we seek to achieve a collective understanding of ourselves and our community. We envision a community that is healthy, creative and thriving in which people are free to express themselves. A healthy community values diverse perspectives and affords each member of the community an opportunity to engage in dialogue that increases awareness. Individuals cannot flourish without belonging, connectedness and a sense of security in freely expressing the vast, unique and intersecting identities that make up the creative world. We value an education that celebrates the intersecting identities of our students, faculty and staff as well as how their artistic contributions reflect this celebration. We equip our CFA students, staff and faculty with the necessary tools to effectuate change and develop a deeper understanding of one’s individual culture and identity and its implications for creating a community where all feel a sense of belonging.