Greetings, Illinois State University family and friends,

Greetings, Redbird friends and family!

It gives me great pleasure to present Illinois State University’s third edition of our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Annual Report. As you will see from the many initiatives featured in the following pages, Illinois State is on the move to ensure that students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds and identities have an opportunity to thrive academically, intellectually, socially, and civically.

The 2022–2023 academic year ushered in several pivotal challenges, not only for Illinois State, but for universities across the nation. Two such challenges—the continuing effects of COVID-19 and the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned affirmative action in the college admissions process—revealed a need to reimagine campus life and reconfirm our commitments to equity and inclusion. More specifically, these challenges have inspired us to invest more intentionally in “people power” as the driving force needed to promote an environment of inclusive excellence in which emerging innovators, global leaders, and civically engaged citizens can thrive while contributing to the greater good of society.

Such contributions by Illinois State University have not gone unnoticed, as our campus was recognized by Washington Monthly as one of the top public universities to contribute to the public good through social mobility, research, and public services. In addition, during a year in which our campus enrolled our most diverse freshman class in its history, we were also recognized by Money.com as one of the Best Colleges in America for quality education and affordability in 2023.

This annual report reflects the collective efforts of our diverse student leaders, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners who each contribute in their own ways, to make Illinois State University a place of pride and a place where legacies take shape. As you read through the pages of this report and discover more about the outstanding efforts and innovations taking place each day on our campus, please know that we are by no means suggesting that our work is complete.

We recognize that each day brings new challenges to overcome and new opportunities—to grow, to learn, and to reevaluate—as we strive to foster new partnerships and continue our journey toward inclusive excellence together. We hope you will join us on this journey to make Illinois State University the best it can be—centered in equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Sincerely,

Doris M. Houston, Ph.D.

Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer