About Us

Audrey Calefas-Strebelle, Director
(650) 508-3695, acalefas@ndnu.edu

The Office of Diversity is committed to encouraging the promotion of a thoughtful adherence to the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community. In particular, the Office is guided by the fifth Hallmark: We embrace the gift of diversity.

Diversity can often give rise to cultural misunderstanding, discrimination, and systemic inequality. The Office is committed to implementing strategies by which NDNU can address such social problems both within our community and in the larger world.

Under the guidance of the Provost, the Director of the Office of Diversity and the Diversity Council also conduct regular campus climate surveys. These surveys are part of a longitudinal study that measures how well the University's personnel, programs, and activities support racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. The next survey is scheduled for the 2011-12 academic year.

Presidential Statement on Diversity — October 2011

Honoring diversity is one of NDNU’s Core Values and part of The Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community. It is a central part of the legacy that we have received from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. We all value the welcoming message and deep respect for all people that the Sisters have fostered at NDNU.

Over the years NDNU has worked to strengthen its understanding of how to foster inclusive excellence on the campus.

• We have had a written policy Diversity Statement for almost two decades.
• Diversity has been emphasized in a number of our strategy documents over the years, including our strategic and academic plans
• We include a Diversity Council representative on all hiring committees to ensure fair and inclusive processes and consideration of candidates.
• The Core Curriculum for undergraduates has long required Cultural Diversity coursework.
• Our faculty has named Inclusive Excellence as a criterion for evaluation during the tenure and promotion processes.
• Our Diversity Council periodically evaluates the climate of the campus and makes recommendations for improvement.

The rationale for our commitment to diversity is important to understand. We believe diversity fundamentally enriches the educational experience. Part of what the college experience should do for our students is to expose them to people, cultures and perspectives beyond those in which they were raised or have thus far experienced. Diverse experiences allow us to learn from those whose backgrounds and beliefs are different from our own. Such experiences allow students to develop important critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate and sharpen their own values. Diversity is thus a critical component of liberal arts learning.

Exposure to diverse peoples allows us to challenge our own stereotypes and misconceptions. If well supported, it can foster sensitivity to others and the ability to communicate with people from a wide range of backgrounds. It can help prepare our students to serve as good citizens in an increasingly diverse and complex society.

As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), we offer all our students the promise of a supportive and challenging educational environment. As president, I pledge my commitment to ensure that we work to fulfill this promise.

Read about the NDNU Commitment to Diversity.

Diversity Data

• 2009 Campus Climate Survey Analysis
• 2007 Campus Climate Survey
• 2005 Students' Voices Qualitative Survey
• 2003 Campus Climate Survey Student Results

Diversity Research

The Library has prepared a list of resources related to diversity that may be helpful for research. While there are still many types of diversity not covered in this research guide, this is a sample of the resources available through the Gellert Library and on the web.

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events. See past events.

About the Director

Audrey Calefas-Strebelle graduated from the Sorbonne, completing a Master’s thesis on French immigration to California during the Gold Rush. She has taught at Notre Dame de Namur University since 1999, first in Modern Languages and more recently in the Second Year Experience (“Human Heritage”) and now for the Department of History and Political Science. She is a doctoral student in the Department of French and Italian at Stanford University and has been a Lecturer in French language and literature there since 2001. She also works with the well-known French philosopher and Stanford professor Michel Serres for whom she developed and manages a web blog on French Literature, Philosophy, and the Humanities. Audrey has traveled widely in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and North America and worked in India and Turkey. She speaks French, English, and Turkish.

Contact

Audrey Calefas-Strebelle, Director
(650) 508-3695, acalefas@ndnu.edu