Criterion One: Mission and Integrity Core Component 1b: In its mission documents, the organization recognizes the diversity of its learners, other constituencies, and the greater society it serves.

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	Located in a socially and economically diverse city, UMKC strives to be of the city as well as in the city. Since 1997, the UM System Board of Curators has specifically directed UMKC “…to develop a professional workforce and collaborate in urban issues and education; and to create a vibrant learning and campus life experience.” According to our vision statement, UMKC is dedicated to creating a “highly diverse faculty, staff and student body.” We have stated and are committed to Core Values that include “Diversity, Inclusiveness and Respect.” Toward the fulfillment of those values, we: Seek, support and celebrate the diversity of all people; Respect individual dignity; and Are sensitive to differences in learning styles, ideas and beliefs.
UMKC’s Diversity Statement, adopted June 2004: “We create a positive environment by recognizing and acknowledging personal biases and being responsible for positive change.”
Our definition of “diversity of all people” includes race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, geographic origin, socioeconomic status and ability/disability. One of the four strategic goals identified in January 2006 when Guy Bailey became UMKC Chancellor reinforced our diversity mission: to improve the racial climate and increase campus diversity. To advance this goal, Chancellor Bailey outlined specific tactics. The first was to hire UMKC’s first Deputy Chancellor for Diversity, Access and Equity [DAE] in February 2007. This new position reports directly to the Chancellor. Still in progress are two other tactics: “to aggressively recruit faculty from under-represented groups” and “to aggressively recruit students from under-represented groups and expand the pipeline of such students.” Strategic Goals, Chancellor Bailey, 2007 Since its inception and in recognition of the diversity of our internal and external communities, DAE has targeted several multi-level objectives aimed at creating a more diverse campus: Recruiting and retaining diverse students, faculty, staff and administrators; Including marginalized voices in course materials; Strengthening diversity efforts in key academic units; Enhancing campus-wide diversity programming; Increasing involvement with pipeline programs; Advancing community outreach efforts; Creating training and workshops; and Hosting diversity-related conferences, lectures and symposia.
As the following examples show, our efforts extend to all of our constituencies. We promote diversity among our students by providing an array of support groups and activities in and out of the classroom. We also offer many opportunities for our staff, faculty and administrators.