Guiding Philosophy

The Office of Inclusive Excellence embraces the full spectrum of people’s diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, beliefs, faith, cultures, and talents. We believe that human beings grow and perform best in organizations when they have a sense of respect and belonging and can be their complete and authentic selves. At the foundation of that respect lies our belief that violence, intimidation, discrimination, or bullying are unacceptable. 

Institutions and organizations best innovate and create positive outcomes when inclusive excellence is internalized and assessed regularly as we interact, work, and serve communities. In turn, institutional-community partnerships are optimized when there is a genuine sense of respect for community and understanding that communities possess strengths to address the public health challenges they face. As a science institution, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health values these approaches, which empower us to best address a range of local and global public health concerns.

Our Commitment

To build a healthy and just world, OIE commits to:  

• model mutual respect and compassion for every community member 
• partner to cultivate diverse, inclusive learning and working environments
• examine the practices of marginalization, hate, and othering
• foster understanding of people’s unique and shared needs 
• build greater collaboration across departments 
• create opportunities to learn how marginalization, discrimination, hate, bias, and othering impact public health and the common good  
• teach cultural humility and other skills to prepare current and future public health practitioners and researchers to serve locally and globally