Resources

Community of Scholars Program
This program aims to create an institutional environment that supports the academic and professional success of graduate students who have historically been under-represented.
Graduate Student Organizations
We invite you to network and build a supportive community by becoming an active member in a graduate student organization.
Office for Equity and Diversity
The OED is responsible for the University of Minnesota’s systemwide equity and diversity initiatives and programs, and for infusing the core values of equity and diversity into all aspects of teaching, learning, research, service, and outreach.
Office for Diversity in Graduate Education
The mission of the Office for Diversity in Graduate Education is to coordinate and lead the University's initiatives in the recruitment, funding, retention and graduation of a diverse graduate and professional student body. In addition, the ODGE works closely with The Graduate School and other units that are concerned with diversity and multiculturalism.

Diversity at Minnesota

About Our Commitment to Diversity

Disability is non-discriminate and touches people from all walks of life. Including diverse voices in the discussion of best practices, research, personal experiences, and policy is an important ingredient of the MN LEND’s curriculum. The MN LEND program is committed to exploring, sharing, and embracing diverse Fellow perspectives. The MN LEND program seeks to train Fellows of all racial, ethnic, economic, disability, and sexual orientation, and educational backgrounds. Such diversity enriches the learning experience and helps build excellence in neurodevelopmental disabilities leadership.

2011-12 LEND Fellows Shivani Pandit and Istaahil Maalin

About the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are located within a diverse, major metropolitan area with something for everyone. Minnesota's famed quality of life is a major draw for students and professionals alike. The cities are home to a nationally recognized arts and theater community, as well as music venues, crafts fairs, cultural celebrations, and world-class restaurants that contribute to the enjoyable and comfortable lifestyle—day or night.

Immigrant communities thrive in the Twin Cities. Somalis, Southeast Asians, and Eastern Europeans have in recent years joined the more established Hispanic and African American communities. Also included In the ethnic and cultural blend are American Indians who are represented in the Twin Cities and in greater Minnesota. People from all over the United States and the world call the Twin Cities home.

The state is home to a thriving and engaged business community which boasts numerous Fortune 500 companies and multinational organizations. Historically, Minnesota is noteworthy for its progressive approaches to health and human services, medical innovation, computer technology, and public policy leadership.

For all these reasons and more, Minnesota is consistently ranked one of the best places to live in the United States.

Ganesh Babulal-2009-2010 U of M LEND Fellow

The MN LEND program is committed to diversity. MN LEND actively seeks to engage students and community members from diverse communities and varied backgrounds. Each year’s LEND cohort included members from various cultural and diverse communities.
- 2009-10: In the 2009-10 academic year 8% of LEND Fellows were family members of individuals with disabilities, and 42% of all LEND Fellows were from racially diverse backgrounds.
- 2010-11: In the 2010-11 academic year 21% of LEND Fellows were family members of individuals with disabilities, and 22% of all Fellows were from racially diverse backgrounds.
- 2011-12: In the 2011-12 academic year 61% of LEND Fellows of were family members of individuals with a disability or identified as having a disability. In 2011-12 23% of all (student and community)LEND Fellows were from diverse racial backgrounds and of the 2011-12 Community Fellows 40% were from racially diverse backgrounds.
- 2012-13: In the 2012-13 academic year 31% of the all (student and community) LEND Fellows are from diverse racial backgrounds and of the 2012-13 Community Fellows 67% are from racially diverse backgrounds.
Additionally the LEND Community Advisory Committee includes participants who represent the Hispanic, African-American, Asian and disability communities.