Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

“At Carthage, we strive to enhance the diversity and equity of our community and, together, to create a more enlightened and inclusive educational environment that positively impacts the world. Because of who you are, where you come from, and the gifts you possess, you belong here.” — Carthage College President John Swallow

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You Belong Here

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What we’re doing

We’ll say it as firmly as possible: Carthage rejects all forms of prejudice. But what we stand against is only part of the equation. We’ve expanded support for the things we stand behind — diversity, equity, inclusion. 

Here’s a look at just some of the work we’re doing at Carthage to ensure every student feels valued and heard:

• The campus Intercultural Center opened in 2020, both as a welcoming place to gather and the hub for a full schedule of inclusive programs. In 2022, it was renamed the Engagement and Inclusion Center with an aim to serve as a campus hub for equity, anti-racism, and inclusion programming by forming strong coalitions and support networks for students, faculty, and staff.
• The Anti-Racism and Intercultural Seminar Experience (ARISE) guides all first-year students through a two-semester process of personal and relational growth.
• New scholarships assist women and students of color.
• The Wiggan-Kenniebrew Black Alumni Network — named in honor of Lorraine A. Wiggan ’46 and Alonzo H. Kenniebrew ’54, the first male and female students of African-American descent to graduate from Carthage — provides mentor relationships and scholarships for multicultural students.
• An ever-growing number of faculty and staff have completed Carthage’s SafeZone training and/or Equity & Inclusion Certificate Program to become Equity Warriors, giving students lots of people to turn to for support.

At a higher level, Carthage is following through on a campus-wide Anti-Racism Plan of Action. Besides devoting more resources to DEI, we’re working to close racial and income-based gaps in graduation rates by 2030 and infuse U.S. racial history into teaching across the College.

SEE HOW WE’RE MAKING HEADWAY