At Utah Valley University, inclusion is central to our commitment to student success. This engagement plan is our blueprint for creating a welcoming environment that empowers all students, regardless of their backgrounds, to achieve their academic goals and become globally competent graduates. Through this plan, we will equip our students with the skills and tools to become culturally aware, dynamic leaders able to navigate a nuanced, globalized world at UVU and beyond.
“Come as you are” is the invitation we issue at Utah Valley University. We believe in the potential of every student on our campus. We believe in the power of diverse worldviews, life experiences, and talents.
This report is a bit of introspection for our campus community as we identify what we are doing well and what we can do better in our equity, inclusion, and diversity work.
Astrid S. Tuminez, Ph.D.
President, Utah Valley University
“Come as you are” is the invitation we issue at Utah Valley University. We believe in the potential of every student on our campus. We believe in the power of diverse worldviews, life experiences, and talents.
This report is a bit of introspection for our campus community as we identify what we are doing well and what we can do better in our equity, inclusion, and diversity work. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to making our students, faculty, and staff feel supported and valued. Our collective efforts reflect our values of exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results. This report captures what our culture is now and what we aspire to become as we continue to grow and evolve.
While we have made significant progress over the past decade, there is still more
to do. I invite you to review our updated engagement plan at the end of this report,
which outlines our campus work for the next four years. We truly want UVU to be a
place for everyone.
Astrid S. Tuminez, Ph.D.
President, Utah Valley University
With immense gratitude, we mark five years of dedicated efforts to advance equity and inclusion at Utah Valley University. I would love to extend heartfelt appreciation to each member of our UVU community for your unwavering support during this transformative journey.
Rasha M. Qudisat, Ph.D.
Chief Engagement and Effectiveness Officer, Utah Valley University
With immense gratitude, we mark five years of dedicated efforts to advance equity
and inclusion at Utah Valley University. I would love to extend heartfelt appreciation
to each member of our UVU community for your unwavering support during this transformative
journey. We are invigorated by UVU’s commitment to advancing efforts within equity,
inclusion, and diversity. Our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional experiences
and cultivating an inclusive learning environment for every member of our UVU community
is resolute. We aspire to a standard of excellence that not only meets but exceeds
expectations. Let us shape a future of unparalleled inclusivity at UVU.
Rasha M. Qudisat, Ph.D.
Chief Chief Engagement and Effectiveness Officer, Utah Valley University
The Campus Engagement Committee is excited to present UVU’s Engagement Plan 2024-2028. We crafted this plan to embody our collective commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We want to ensure UVU is a place for you.
Our collaborative journey toward an engagement plan has been one of evolution and dedication using a bottom-up approach. We created this specific and measurable plan using our shared governance strategies. It culminates our efforts to create a campus where everyone belongs. The plan’s pillars — data-driven planning, cultural competency, and campus composition — are designed to create an inclusive, equitable learning environment. This plan is rooted in our commitment to the inclusion aspect of Vision 2030, and we feel confident about its effectiveness in accomplishing those goals.
Implementation hinges on collaboration, coordination, and cooperation among all stakeholders. We hope to foster a community where diversity is our strength, inclusion is our norm, and equity persists.
Campus Engagement Committee
UVU aspires to foster an equitable, inclusive, and supportive campus that empowers students, embraces all differences, and nurtures a strong sense of belonging, enabling the UVU community to grow and thrive.
To cultivate a campus culture that exemplifies collaboration embraces innovation, and values respect, equity, inclusion, and diversity to provide exceptional care for students, faculty, and staff.
Utah Valley University campus has a long-standing institutional commitment to inclusive initiatives. These initiatives have evolved, recognizing the importance of providing a welcoming and inclusive climate for education and employment so that all individuals can thrive and drive excellence.
We create our programs and educational efforts to ensure inclusivity and cultural competence throughout our university. By working collaboratively and establishing more effective systems, we enhance the opportunities, care, and education we provide to all community members, regardless of their backgrounds.
All campus community members are encouraged to adapt to the three critical elements of collaboration, coordination, and cooperation to successfully promote and support inclusive practices. The Office of Institutional Engagement and Effectiveness, campus leaders, and stakeholders collaborate to ensure that strategic initiatives are implemented effectively. Implementing and evaluating UVU’s Engagement Plan 2024-2028 helps us achieve our shared objective of strengthening equity and inclusivity on campus, ensuring that UVU is the first choice for students and talented employees.
