Inclusion, Diversity Belonging, Equity, and Accessibility Principles on College Campuses

Abstract

Inclusion, diversity, belonging, equity, and accessibility (IDBEA) are foundational principles in learning, required to create a meaningful experience for students, faculty, and staff. The purpose of this chapter is to define the core elements of inclusion, diversity, belonging, equity, and accessibility, and to describe how each component impacts the student experience in higher education. Academics are only one measure of student achievement. Here, the authors present a review of current literature focused on the intersectionality of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups, and the role that faculty and staff play in creating a culture of empowerment for student success. Results show that the more engaged faculty and staff are in cultivating an authentic campus life culture, the more empowered higher education learners will be to not only complete their programs of study but do so in a way that empowers them to work toward future career accomplishments.