Inclusion at Mount Holyoke
Mount Holyoke College strives to build and maintain a campus environment that is inclusive, pluralistic and free of discrimination. Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts extend beyond specific departments and are embedded in all areas of the College.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Practice
Diversity, equity and inclusion focuses on understanding individuals’ multiple identities through the lens of social justice education, ally development and identity development. Recognizing that no member of the Mount Holyoke community brings just one aspect of their identity to the classroom, cocurricular activities or personal relationships, the College acknowledges — and values — the intersections of race/ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin and religious/spiritual identities. In addition, the College seeks to generate greater connection and communication rather than polarization around these facets of identity.
Mount Holyoke envisions a campus community that actively works toward transformation through social justice education, identity development and ally development. Toward that end, the College:
- Develops programs and services to advance intergroup dialogue and subsequent action planning.
- Provides opportunities to connect social justice education to leadership development.
- Assists all students, including first-generation students, to excel and achieve in their academic endeavors.
- Supports students of all identities to be empowered to cultivate their ally identities.
- Offers support for self-reflection and awareness for students of all identities.
- Provides cocurricular diversity education.
- Creates spaces of safety, learning, respect, celebration and change within the campus community.
These gathering spaces include but are not limited to the residence halls, cultural centers, student programming spaces, classrooms and study spaces. Examples of these programs and services are:
- BOOM! (Building On Our Momentum):Community Day Learning ConferenceCultural, resource and community centers
- Cultural, heritage, awareness events
- Cultural, Faith, identity-based student organizations
- Interfaith luncheons
- Intergroup dialogue
- International Student Organizing Committee
- MoZone Peer Education Program
- Trailblazers Leadership Conference
Visit the Diversity and Inclusion website for more information on diversity, equity and inclusion at Mount Holyoke.
Cultural, Resource and Community Centers
Mount Holyoke College’s diverse community is a hallmark of its identity. Mount Holyoke believes that education thrives when the views, cultures and values of the entire community are brought together. Cultural, resource, and community centers offer students a place for learning, exploration and support. The centers are open to all members of the Mount Holyoke community. Although many cultural, resource, and community centers are seen a as home away from home by centering the voices and lived experiences of specific identities (i.e., cultural, religious, sexuality, class, etc.) , they also offer space for all students, staff, and faculty to meet, socialize and get support through weekly community drop-in/ open hours; programs such as movie nights, Community Shabbats, Jummah Lunches and Muslima Conversations, puja space for Hindu students, inter and intragroup dialogues, poetry readings, cultural and awareness events/celebrations, small parties, and much more.
Cultural Centers: Safe Spaces for Belonging
Centers host programming to increase inter-connectedness for students & allies who identify as African, Asian, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, Native American and more.
Eliot House
Eliot House is a hub of activity of our religiously pluralistic student body and serves as office space for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.
Community and Belonging
The Office of Community and Belonging is committed to the holistic development and wellness of Mount Holyoke students using intersectional frameworks with a focus on identity, social justice, religion and spirituality, and liberatory consciousness.
Religious Accommodation
Although we are a secular institution, the College values students who sincerely claim their religious and spiritual identities and seek to observe and practice their religious and spiritual traditions during your time with us.
It is our goal to not only comply with the religious accommodation statute, Title XXI Chapter151C Section2B of the General Laws of Massachusetts. We provide a multifaith calendar to note key religious observances as well as guidelines for students to request religious accommodation.
Access and Inclusion
Mount Holyoke College strives to provide access to education, employment, services, programs and activities to all persons, regardless of ability. As such, members of the College community work together in the effort to create solutions to any barriers that may exist for an individual with a disability. Learn more about Access and Inclusion at Mount Holyoke.