Fostering a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Community

The Foster community is devoted to a space where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, and everyone experiences a sense of belonging. We consider this a shared responsibility that requires every member at Foster to think deeply, step up and act courageously.

Graduate Student Diversity Committee   

The Graduate Student Diversity Committee (GSDC) gathers student representatives from all the Foster programs to promote diversity, equity and inclusion strategies across the school. Students work with departmental leadership and assist Michelle Purnell-Hepburn, the Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity, to create an inclusive curricula and environment for our students.  

“As a partner at GSDC, I am committed to raising awareness about the importance of fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive space not just for graduate students at Foster but for every student at UW,” said MSCM Representative for GSDC, Aditya Sharma. 

Through various events and initiatives such as workshops, panel discussions, cultural events, the GSDC champions advocacy and empowerment of traditionally underrepresented communities. In January, the committee focused on mental wellness by means of mindfulness sessions and sharing mental health resources. They also hosted a discussion on “grief” within the BIPOC community.

Graduate Student Equity & Excellence 

The Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) community is also an opportunity for graduate students of color to get involved in the UW Graduate School’s mission of providing “leadership and advocacy to achieve equitable representation, access and success for graduate students of color at UW.” 

Students can volunteer in the Outreaching Grads (OG) program by GSEE and support fellow graduate students of color in navigating graduate school.  

We strive for Foster to be a place where all our decisions and strategies are driven by perspectives of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our students play a huge role in that they bring insights and experiences from across the globe. 

Learn more about DEI at Foster and how you can join us in making a difference.