The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was established in 2018 to advance Pratt Institute’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and affirming campus community. The DEI Office oversees the Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI) and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (DEI Council) and supports the Board of Trustees’ DEI Committee. Located on the first floor of the Main Building on the Brooklyn campus, the DEI Office is dedicated to celebrating diversity, prioritizing equity, and ensuring that inclusion is a lived experience, promoting a profound sense of belonging for all Pratt community members.
Vision
To create a dynamic and transformative intellectual, artistic, and creative environment where all Pratt community members are empowered to drive meaningful change and shape a more just, caring, and innovative world.
Mission
To collaborate with campus stakeholders to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive living, learning, and working environment that promotes a profound sense of belonging, where every individual is valued, respected, and supported in their academic, creative, and professional pursuits.
Principles
The DEI Office recognizes the importance of a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion framework in shaping a more inclusive campus community. These principles serve as the foundation for the office’s efforts and initiatives, reflecting Pratt’s commitment to creating a campus community where every member is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Diversity at Pratt is dynamic, encompassing the psychological, physical, and social dimensions of human differences and social identities, including races, ethnicities, nationalities, cultures, languages, religions, genders and gender expressions, sexualities, ideologies, geographic backgrounds, beliefs, ages, disabilities, military/veteran status, and socioeconomic statuses. Recognizing intersectionality, Pratt acknowledges how various identities intersect to shape unique experiences of discrimination and privilege. Pratt is committed to an inclusive learning environment that celebrates the richness and innovation diversity brings, enhancing the creative problem-solving within the campus community.
Equity extends beyond equality; it involves the intentional and proactive effort to identify and address systemic inequities that disproportionately hinder historically marginalized and underrepresented groups from fully participating and succeeding. It requires understanding individuals’ distinct needs and providing tailored resources, opportunities, and support to ensure all community members can thrive. At Pratt, equity emphasizes fairness, justice, and inclusivity, empowering all community members to reach their fullest potential.
Inclusion is the active, intentional, ongoing effort to create an environment where all individuals feel welcomed, valued, and respected. It focuses on recognizing and appreciating diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. At Pratt, inclusion is essential to everyday life, requiring thoughtful and rigorous practices that enhance cultural awareness, foster critical thinking, and address systemic forces that shape identity, all while promoting a campus culture of mutual respect and acceptance.
Belonging is a profound sense of emotional and psychological connection, where individuals feel recognized and appreciated for who they are, and their contributions are valued as integral to the broader community. At Pratt, belonging strives to create lifelong, meaningful, and affirming connections, both within our campus community and beyond.