Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Communication Leadership holds equity, diversity, and advocacy as foundational values. We embrace the power of difference as we strive to create classrooms, scholarship, mentoring relationships, and working environments that push past a surface commitment to inclusion, to foster a true sense of belonging in our community.

Further, we believe interrupting and dismantling systemic racism is essential to the kind of communication leadership that drives our students. Our goal is for our graduates to spread our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to any workplace they become part of — and to the world beyond.

You can learn about student demographic diversity on our program overview page.

During the 2018-19 academic year the Communication Leadership program partnered with our department’s Center for Communication, Difference and Equity(CCDE) to help craft the future of our program’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. During the same year, CCDE also audited our curriculum and syllabi, recruitment process, and hiring process through the lenses of diversity and equity, providing recommendations that continue to inform our program’s practices.

Share Your Thoughts

We’re always looking for your input on how we can support our students, advance the cause of justice and dismantle systemic racism. Please complete this feedback form to reflect on the effectiveness of current initiatives and share new ideas.

Faculty

When students see themselves reflected in faculty, and a diversity of perspectives are represented, everyone’s education is advanced. To that end, we’re continually working to recruit and retain faculty with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Currently just over 20% of faculty and staff positions are held by people of color, with 60% held by women. For more, visit our faculty page.

Each year we provide our faculty and staff with opportunities to advance their understanding of race, gender and equity in order to better serve our students. For the 2023-24 year, we’re offering a custom training developed with Curiosity Based.

Curriculum

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core topics in our program’s curriculum. Below is a list of classes currently offered that touch on these issues, in relation to internal communications, advocacy, law, storytelling, marketing and more, with additional classes in the 2020-21 academic year. We will keep a list of our course offerings related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion related topics on this page. You can view our full course listings here.

COMMLD 510: Leveraging Diverse Perspectives for Product Content Strategy

COMMLD 543: Leadership Approaches to Equity Initiatives in Organizations

COMMLD 551: The Law and Ethics of Organizations

COMMLD 560: Communicating Across Power and Identities

COMMLD 563: Multicultural Marketing: Creating Equitable and Inclusive Communications

COMMLD 562 Communication for Advocacy

COMMLD 570: Digital Cross-Cultural Storytelling for Leadership and Global Networking

Comm Lead Opportunities

Our Student Consultancy offers pro bono communication consulting to community based organizations, nonprofits and small businesses led by and serving communities of color. These initiatives include scholarship support for the students involved, to help offset tuition costs.

Each year we also support a 9-month paid internship with the Office of Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE). Applications for this role open to incoming and current students in September. Email Alex Stonehill for more information.

University Resources for Students of Color

The University of Washington and the Communication Department are committed to combating racism and inequities. Read the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement from the Dept. of Communication and University of Washington’s Race & Equity Initiative to learn more about their commitments. 

The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D), the Center for Communication, Difference & Equity (CCDE), andGraduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) offer resources for students of color including academic services, community events, and funding opportunities. 

International Students can reach out to International Student Services for information on everything from obtaining a visa to finding work after graduation. 

Other community resources, student groups, and opportunities for students of color include the Black Student Union, The Dream Project, and Diversity resources in the broader community from the iSchool.