Ways to commit to diversity,equity, inclusion and belonging at UMass Chan

Thank you for taking the first step to engage in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work at UMass Chan. The descriptors below will help you make an informed decision on engagement that suits your interests.

After reading, click here to make a commitment.  

Committee on Equal Opportunity and Diversity:The Committee on Equal Opportunity and Diversity (CEOD) at UMass Chan Medical School was formed to ensure everyone in the UMass Chan community feels seen and heard and has access to opportunities that make them feel a part of the work to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and just organization. The monthly meeting is a great opportunity for connection and engagement. 

Diversity and Equity Action Plan: Since the introduction of the DEI pillar to UMass Chan’s IMPACT 2025 Strategic Plan, the Diversity Equity Action Plans (DEAPs) have been a way to provide a roadmap and guidance and model what implementation across the entire campus will look like. The DIO meets regularly with the departments who have submitted their DEAPs through a community of practice. 

Departments participating in the DEAP program were given the results of the DES with an in-depth report on how their department fared. The hope is that departments use that data as a baseline to measure climate and to develop new goals for their DEAPs. 

Restorative justice: Restorative justice is a way to prevent or respond to harm or an incident in a community with an emphasis on healing, social support, and active accountability.  Restorative practices include climate circles and community building circles. 

Trainings: The Diversity and Inclusion Office's training program includes high-impact diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) workshops that utilize innovative instructional design to support DEI professional development and capacity-building efforts across UMass Chan. 

Affinity groups: Affinity groups are identity or shared interest groups where faculty and staff can foster a community of collegiality and support. Whether you share in a group’s identity or interest or not, affinity groups are open to everyone to build relationships with colleagues. If none of these groups encompass what you need to belong, we invite you gather like minded people looking for the same community and start your own affinity group. 

Summer Learning Opportunity: The UMass Chan Medical School Summer Learning Opportunity is a program for rising second year medical students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to participate in a clinical rotation and research experience in a specific specialty area. The four-week experience will include time in direct patient care, professional development, as well as opportunities for research and specialty specific advising. Stipend, housing, airfare to Worcester/Boston and transportation to the clinical sites will be provided to participating students. All students are welcome to apply. Priority will be given to students underrepresented in medicine.  

The Emerging Professionals Summer Internship Program: The Emerging Professionals Summer Internship Program is a ten-week paid internship experience for talented college students. Individuals historically underrepresented in STEM, health sciences and medicine are strongly encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to students that identify as being from among one of the following underrepresented groups in STEM, health science and medicine: Black/African Americans, Hispanic or Latinx, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders, individuals with a disability or the first in their family to attend college, are also strongly encourage to apply. 

Diversity Engagement Survey: As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, we regularly conduct a climate survey to assess the perceptions, experiences, and concerns of our learners, faculty and staff. The survey helps us identify areas of strength, areas for improvement and the changing needs of our community members, allowing us to develop targeted initiatives and policies to promote a positive and inclusive climate at our institution. Survey results from 2023 are available to help inform forward-looking policies and programs related to culture and inclusion.