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.
“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
32%
of domestic Carleton students identify as people of color13%
of Carleton students are first-generation college students29
countries are represented in the Class of 202560%
of Carleton students receive financial aidLatest Stories
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.
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.
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.
Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off with community celebration
Northfield’s fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, a stretch when many Latin American countries celebrate their independence. Northfield’s celebration was organized by the Northfield Public Library and co-sponsored by Carleton’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE).
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.
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
- A Community Plan for Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
- Action Reports in Addressing Institutional Racism (2020–21)
- Alumni Racial Justice Resources
- Antiracism Training (2021–22)
- Campus Climate Work (2015–21)
- Carleton Liberal Arts Experience (CLAE)
- Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI)
- Critical Conversations at Carleton
- First Generation @ Carleton
- Students Engaging in Essential Dialogue (SEED)
- Taste of Carleton
- Teaching Resources for Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism
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:
- Chemistry: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect
- Classics: Inclusion in Carleton Classics
- Environmental Studies: Resources on African American and Indigenous Perspectives on the Environment
- Geology: Diversity in Geology
- German: Critical German Studies blog
- Mathematics and Statistics: You Are Welcome Here
- Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)
- Physics & Astronomy: Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
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
- African and Caribbean Association
- Asexual Community and Education (ACE)
- Asian Students in America (ASIA)
- Black Student Alliance (BSA)
- The Black Student-Athletes of Carleton (BSAC)
- Carleton QuestBridge Chapter
- CarleTwin
- Chinese Club
- Coalition of Hmong Students (CHS)
- Freier Karleton Klub (Carleton German Club)
- Imagining America
- Indigenous Peoples Alliance (IPA)
- Japanese Circle
- Jewish Students of Carleton (JSC)
- Korean Student Association (KSA)
- Latin American Student Organization (LASO)
- Men of Color
- Middle Eastern and North African Association (MENA)
- Mosaic of South Asian Interests at Carleton (MOSAIC)
- Muslim Student Association (MSA)
- Queer and Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- Taiwanese Cultural Society(TCS)
- Tim Viet
- Tutors of the Korean Language (TKL)
- Women of Color+
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
- Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE)
- FOCUS
- Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC)
- Gould Library Combating Racism Resources
- Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)
- Office of Accessibility Resources
- Office of the Chaplain
- Office of Intercultural Life (OIL)
- Office of International Student Life (ISL)
- Posse Program
- Staff Collective for Change
- TRIO/Student Support Services
Note: The Carleton “Community Connections” website can now be found at carleton.edu/neighborhood.