The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) continues to make gains to build a more inclusive culture, as reflected in its three-year progress report on its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan.

The LSA DEI Plan has two main objectives: To increase access to all U-M has to offer and to create a more inclusive campus climate. The progress report demonstrates LSA’s commitment to achieving these objectives, and its ability to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

“As the needs of our community continue to evolve, we have to do the same. That is reflected in the breadth and depth of resources and support LSA provides,” said Fiona Lee, associate dean of diversity, equity, inclusion and professional development at LSA. “Our commitment to DEI is unwavering. There is much more that needs to be done, but we will keep the momentum going and continue to address this important issue.”

Here is a glance at some of the programs and initiatives that demonstrate LSA’s DEI progress:

Internship Scholarships

  • Through a partnership with LSA Opportunity Hub and the LSA Scholarship Office, the college provided $1.1 million in funding to nearly 400 students for internships and related opportunities. Internship programs, such as the Applebaum Internship Program, give students the chance to marry their career aspirations with purpose, even if the internship is unpaid. 

Laptop Program

  • In 2018-2019, LSA provided 581 laptops to low-income students. In total, LSA has provided 2,049 laptops to students who otherwise could not afford them; the first Laptop Program cohort graduated in May. The program has been so successful that it became a university-wide initiative this fall. 

Passport Scholarship Program

  • LSA’s Passport Scholarship Program covers the cost of a passport for all first-year LSA students who are eligible for Pell Grants. The program holds an event on campus that assists students in completing passport applications, assembling the appropriate documents, and acquiring passport photos. In 2018-2019, the program provided 127 passports and this fall, 252 passports to students who could otherwise not afford them.  

Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP)

  • CSP provides students with academic, social, and personal support to succeed at U-M and after graduation. Last May, the graduation rate for CSP students was more than 80 percent, the highest rate in the program’s history.

LSA Collegiate Fellows

  • In 2019, LSA welcomed nine new fellows into the third-year cohort of the Collegiate Fellows Program. Over the past three years, LSA has recruited 26 fellows in departments across LSA. The college aims to hire 50 fellows in five years. Each fellow has demonstrated a commitment to DEI through their scholarship, teaching, and/or service. This fall three fellows were the first to transition into tenure-track faculty positions. In fall 2020, they will be followed by another ten fellows, and another five in fall 2021.

Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR)

  • The Program on Intergroup Relations provides students the opportunity to explore, teach, and engage in social justice. By combining theory with experiential learning, students immerse themselves in issues such as social identity, social inequality, and communicating across differences. In 2018-2019, 1,801 students participated in IGR courses and workshops.

Inclusive Campus Corps (ICC)

  • ICC is a fellowship program that gives student workers professional development opportunities they can use in their various roles as mentors, tutors, and front desk staff. The training helps students work with other students from a variety of backgrounds, converse across differences, and enhance inclusivity on campus. This fall, student workers will have access to DEI course offerings and the opportunity to attend a DEI conference.

The LSA DEI Strategic Plan plays a key role in the University of Michigan’s commitment to cultivate a campus community where everyone feels valued, welcomed, and supported. As the largest college among the 19 colleges/units at U-M, LSA provides a vast array of resources, programs, financial support, and more to ensure all students can thrive here and beyond.

Find out more about the LSA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan here.