Eliminate Barriers
Cummings School strives to eliminate barriers to applications and increase rates of matriculation.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Cummings School Inclusion and Equity Statement
Cummings School is committed to being an inclusive and equitable community that attracts and retains exceptional faculty, staff, and students. Its campus-wide efforts are underscored within Cummings School's Strategic Vision 2030 Strategic Plan with its focus on prioritizing people.
Core Values
- Inclusion and equity lead to academic and institutional excellence.
- Inclusive leadership at all levels is essential.
- Innovation is catalyzed by greater inclusion, equity, diversity, justice, and access.
- Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
Our Committments
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Being an inclusive and equitable community that attracts and retains exceptional faculty, staff, and students.
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Recognizing, practicing, and providing education on the values of inclusion, equity, diversity, and social justice to ensure a dynamic and healthy working and learning community.
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Expanding community outreach programs to teach students of all ages and from many diverse backgrounds about the profession of veterinary medicine.
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Providing access to all of our academic programs and associated activities, and educating, mentoring, and retaining students from diverse backgrounds.
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Creating and upholding policies and procedures that reduce bias and advance equity in our daily work.
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Providing resources necessary to achieve our commitments.
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Being held accountable for measurable progress in our diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and access work.
Pronoun Practices
At Cummings School, we welcome people of all genders to learn and work with us. As part of our commitment to values such as respect and belonging within this community, we believe it is important to use inclusive pronoun practices in our everyday interactions. One easy way to do this is to share our personal pronouns with each other for use in conversations. While someone’s pronouns may seem “obvious” based on their appearance, this isn’t true for everyone, as gender identity may not be demonstrated by an external presentation.
To support the safety and wellness of trans and gender non-conforming people, we encourage everyone to wear a pronoun button. These buttons make our pronouns clear, and they help normalize asking and talking about them, rather than guessing. To uplift those whose pronouns aren’t so obvious, we wear these buttons to make our community more inclusive and supportive for everyone.
Want to learn more about pronouns? Wondering how to be a better ally to your peers? How can you go about implementing inclusive pronoun practices in your community? Check out the resources below!
Pronoun Primer
At Cummings School, we use inclusive pronoun practices in our everyday interactions and communications.
Pipeline Programs
Cummings School is home to numerous pipeline programs on which we can capitalize to attract diverse student population.
Learning Communities
We seek to promote a diverse and inclusive learning community where students are supported to explore issues of personal interest.
Mentoring Opportunities
We offer many resources and programs to promote mentoring opportunities and other support services for our students.
Career Services
The Diversity Council at Cummings School actively reviews career services to ensure common core services are available for all students.
Community Engagement
We are committed to enhancing existing programs and building new ones that foster community engagement by students.
Core Programs
The following programs help Cummings School further its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Admitted Students Day
- Adventures in Veterinary Medicine
- Wellbeing at Cummings School
Meet the Diversity Council
The Diversity Council at Cummings School includes faculty, staff and students who meet regularly to discuss programs, initiatives and opportunities to educate across the entire school.
News
Teaching Future Veterinarians Important Lessons About Biases
Two courses at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine help students learn professional skills and examine how biases could affect their medical judgment
Understanding Hate and How to Counter it
Anti-bias and non-discrimination trainings aim to foster inclusive environments through education and action
Facilitating Diversity and Inclusion
Tufts Veterinary Council on Diversity paves the way at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Nationally Recognized for Diversity Leadership
Alexandra Awad, V24, receives prestigious scholarship from American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
My Latinx Heritage ‘Infuses Everything I Do’
Tufts professors and deans share how their backgrounds enrich their teaching, research, and leadership
When Professors Become Students of Antiracism
Faculty spend a semester having the ‘uncomfortable’ conversations, with the goal of more inclusive classrooms