Framingham State University (FSU) was founded as the first public teachers’ college in the United States in 1839. The FSU community embodies its motto, Live to the Truth, by upholding the university’s mission to serve the public good, providing affordable, high-quality education to all qualified students, and maintaining a commitment to student involvement, engagement, and academic excellence, so students will graduate and become responsible, career-ready local and global citizens, living successful lives. FSU is committed to becoming an anti-racist institution, providing accessible educational opportunities in an inclusive atmosphere. FSU has an increasingly diverse student body with a growing number of first-generation students, and there is a sincere dedication to providing the necessary resources for student success.
Framingham State University
President: Dr. Nancy S. Niemi
Signature Racial Equity Activities
- Institutional Statement on Antiracism published on the Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement website and aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Racial Equity Principles.
- Five campus-wide committees and councils addressing DEI-related matters.
- Campuswide Anti-Racism policy review audits with an equity lens.
- Inclusive student programs and initiatives designed to recruit and retain diverse students.
- Implementation of the MetroWest College Planning Collaborative (CPC) which serves as a pathway to higher education for youth, non-traditional adult learners, and newcomers in the MetroWest region.
- Expansion of cross-cultural resources, Diversity Peer Influencers (DPIs), programming and identity-based clubs and organizations.
- Student racial equity leadership and degree completion celebrated and fostered through the Intercultural Ceremony
- Expansion of student support services to combat food and housing insecurity.
- STEM Career-readiness program Project OnRamp, developed to diversify the biotech industry with Pell Eligible and BIPOC students in well-paid internships.
- Inclusive hiring initiatives to expand and diversify applicant pools which include the Mary Miles Bibb faculty fellowships, The Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE) Faculty Fellow Program, and Faculty AGEP Grant.
- Employee Affinity Groups Multiracial Family/Relationship EAG, Employees of Color EAG, LGBTQ+ Employees EAG, Early Career Professionals EAG, Veterans EAG, Women’s EAG, and Parents and Caregivers EAG established.
- Staff DEI training aimed at developing cultural competencies include Implicit Bias Prevention and Anti-Racism Workshop certificate series
- Community collaborations through the DEI Community Partner Network provides support, resources, and partnership for Chief DEI officers at school systems, colleges, and community agencies in the MetroWest area.
Questions?
For more information contact Racial Equity and Justice Institute (REJI) Team Lead
Vice President Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Dr. Jeffrey Coleman
jcoleman10@framingham.edu
