History of PCDEIPresident’s Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

President Rebecca Bergman created and convened the PCDEI in the Fall of 2015, charging the Council with serving as an advisory body on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Gustavus community and with developing a strategic plan to both enhance and advance these efforts. During the 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years, the Council met regularly and consulted broadly, ultimately authoring the Gustavus “Blueprint for Progress,” a three-year plan focused on teaching and learning; recruitment and retention; safety and security; and institutional structure and governance. At the same time, the Gustavus community was in the process of creating and endorsing the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan, which included diversifying and expanding the Gustavus community among its three primary goals. President Bergman appointed a Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion charged with integrating the Blueprint within the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan. Then, in Fall the 2017, the Council developed key performance indicators and annual goals to drive action.