A class meets outside sitting in a circle, with a native American tipi in the background

A Community of Belonging

Carleton’s mission to provide an exceptional undergraduate liberal arts education requires a community of trust and belonging where each individual feels safe and valued. The college community is actively engaged in the work of making Carleton more inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

To achieve our goal of full participation, we are embracing our shared values of mutual respect and curiosity as we go forward, honest reflection and dialogue as we look back, and a deep sense of joy, humor, and grace as we try, fail, and grow as a community.

Alison Byerly

“The equitable and committed community we seek is not an option or an enhancement to the Carleton experience. It is absolutely fundamental to our ability to deliver a quality liberal arts education.”

—Alison Byerly, President
Three students ice skating on the Bald Spot
Two students work together planting trees in the Carleton Arboretum
Professor and students participate in birch bark biting in a classroom

32%

of domestic Carleton students identify as people of color

13%

of Carleton students are first-generation college students

29

countries are represented in the Class of 2025

60%

of Carleton students receive financial aid
 

Latest Stories

Carleton names Dina Zavala inaugural vice president for inclusion, equity and community

Dr. Dina Zavala has been named to the inaugural position of vice president for inclusion, equity and community at Carleton, following a national search and interview process that included involvement and input from students, faculty, staff and alumni. She will begin her new role on June 1, joining the President’s Cabinet and leading a new Office of Inclusion, Equity and Community.

Dina Zavala

Affirmative Action on Trial

Diversity in higher education enhances critical thinking, bolsters interpersonal skills, and encourages cultural engagement and a concern for the public good. But a pending Supreme Court decision could upend decades of precedent and make it more difficult for colleges to ensure a holistic admissions process.

The Supreme Court building in Washington, DC

Scholarship and activism in the world of dance: talking with Phil Chan ’06

Phil Chan’06 returned to Carleton this fall as a visiting professor of dance. He’s teaching a course that explores over 300 years of “exotic” portrayals of “Orientals” on the Western ballet and opera stages, as well as the geopolitics that impacted how society views Asian people and cultures to this day.

 Phil Chan in a Carleton classroom

MCAN’s The Gathering returns to campus

The fifth Multicultural Alumni Network Gathering (Sept. 30–Oct. 2) brought alumni of color back to campus for a weekend of rest, reconciliation and revival. They reconnected with old friends, explored both new and familiar Carleton spaces and engaged with a campus community that is undergoing significant reflection, change and growth.

MCAN gathering in the Weitz Center
See more stories…

The education we offer at Carleton is grounded in community. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, departments, offices, and organizations all work toward the goal of making Carleton a community where everyone belongs, and a place that belongs to everyone.

Laird Hall with students

College Initiatives

Carleton has made inclusion, diversity, and equity a priority for our community. Many college-wide initiatives have been established in support of this work.

Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Initiatives

Two students and a professor in a biology lab

Academic Program

Carleton’s academic departments and programs are engaging in the work of responding to systemic inequities in higher education and at Carleton.

Academic Initiatives

The academic department efforts are still being collected, but a few examples are available now:

Four students, three in traditional Hmong attire

Student & Alumni Organizations

Carleton students and alumni have long been active in the work of inclusion, diversity and equity. The Multicultural Alumni Network was organized in 1988 and the LGBTQA+ alumni group Out After Carleton began in 1992.

Cultural & Intercultural Student Orgs

Aerial view of campus

Campus Resources

All offices on Carleton’s campus carry out the important work of supporting our students. But some are more specifically focused on providing resources and support in the areas of inclusion, diversity and equity.

Relevant Campus Resources

Note: The Carleton “Community Connections” website can now be found at carleton.edu/neighborhood.