Executive Summary 

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) plan is designed to address the current state of the profession in the area of diversity, but more specifically it will set the future course for the college by strengthening current diversity efforts with an emphasis on intentionality. A college that is committed to inclusiveness and diversity must deliberately put into place a series of guideposts that make success possible. The roadmap presented in this document provides a framework for strengthening our efforts and should be regarded as a living document - one that provides strategic direction, but remains responsive to the current needs and priorities as they arise.

The United States’ competitiveness in the global economy and growth in the veterinary profession depend on our ability to recruit, retain and educate both current and prospective veterinary professionals, as well as veterinary nursing and graduate students in intercultural competency. To that end, this form of training will prepare individuals and promote the development of critical thinking skills necessary to address complex societal problems which often cross cultural boundaries. More importantly, it will encourage this college to uphold its obligation to protect free expression while maintaining a diverse and inclusive community with shared values.

PVM Diversity Timeline: Inclusive Excellence in Practice

Overview of Strategic Goals

There are four (4) strategic goals in this plan:

• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the academic principles of teaching, research and engagement
• Recruit and advance a diverse community of faculty, staff and students
• Elevate the PVM brand by expanding audience reach through more diverse channels
• Cultivate a culture of excellence that supports a diverse and inclusive environment

If effectively implemented, the initiatives set for each goal area will achieve the anticipated outcomes:

• Increased cultural competence and commitment modeled by all members of the PVM community
• Increased access and opportunity for growth
• Increased visibility of PVM brand among diverse populations
• Improved supportive learning and work environment, which gives a stronger sense of belonging

Strategic Goal 1:

Integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into the academic principles of teaching, research and engagement

Anticipated Outcome: Increased cultural competence and commitment modeled by all members of the PVM community

Cultural competence refers to skills that facilitate positive effects on relationships that are respectful of and responsive to the beliefs, practices, cultural and linguistic needs, and preferences of all groups. The process of engaging in cultural immersion is a learning model that will embed intercultural competency into the curricula, policies, practices and processes. Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion will provide members of the PVM community with awareness of the social and cultural differences within the organization for which they work and enable them to gain a deeper understanding of the communities, organizations and families in which they serve and live. 

Strategic Goal II:

Recruit and advance a diverse community of faculty, staff and students

Anticipated Outcome: Increased access and opportunities

There have been significant strides to recruit more underrepresented students for the DVM program and for faculty and staff positions. These efforts have included pipeline programming, targeted conference visits, community engagement and the development of external partnerships. Sustaining these efforts will require college-wide participation and a commitment to diversifying students, faculty and staff at each level. Recruitment is inevitably tied to the culture and climate surrounding the success of the current student, faculty and staff population and their buy-in to the mission of the College of Veterinary Medicine as it pertains to diversity and inclusion efforts. Extending recruitment efforts to the veterinary nursing and graduate programs are areas where access and opportunities can be expanded. 

Strategic Goal III:

Elevate the PVM brand by expanding audience reach through more diverse channels

Anticipated Outcome: Increased visibility of PVM brand among diverse populations

Community engagement has always been part of PVM’s mission. Community engagement at PVM encompasses all work with external partners, locally, statewide and nationally. The digital footprint of the college will be strengthened by intentionally highlighting the diverse work (e.g., research, programming, service, and teaching) that features areas of interests that are meaningful to diverse populations. 

Strategic Goal IV:

Cultivate a culture of excellence that supports a diverse and inclusive environment

Anticipated Outcome: Improved supportive learning and work environment, which gives a stronger sense of belonging

Creating a culture of excellence focused on building a diverse and inclusive climate within the college with the tenets of equity, fairness, recognition, dignity and respect. Purdue University pursues excellence and inclusiveness in its work to educate and serve its community through: 1) teaching diverse students in order to develop engaged citizens, 2) practicing and applying research, scholarship and creative activity, 3) providing engaged service and outreach that improve the quality of life for local and global communities, and, 4) strengthening support services for faculty, staff and students in an effort to help retain a diverse population. “The ultimate goal of excellence for PVM can only be realized when the core values pertaining to diversity and inclusion become intrinsic to its academic, business, co-curricular and cultural core” (PVM Diversity Strategic Plan, 2012).

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