The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) guides the efforts and creates opportunities at PEA to define, assess and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression and belonging for all community members. The Director of Equity and Inclusion is a member of the Academy’s leadership team, and OEI works with on- and off-campus constituencies including campus leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. OEI is a frequent thought-partner and collaborator with the Dean of Students and Dean of Faculty.
OEI offers several professional development opportunities for employees throughout the year: the Exeter Diversity Institute; Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) conversations; Real Talk: Identity-Informed Conversations with Colleagues; OEI book clubs; and workshops and training tailored for the needs of specific departments. For students, OEI offers the Equitable Exeter Experience (E3) pre-orientation program; Anti-Oppressive Leadership Training; and the Core Values Project: Conversations About Anti-Oppression, Community Values and Justice. OEI also works with various clubs, classes and teams throughout the school.
The Director of Equity and Inclusion and the Dean of Faculty partner to ensure a diverse pool of teaching candidates and equity in the hiring process. Together, they have developed the John and Elizabeth Phillips Fellowship and Dissertation Year Fellowship programs and have forged partnerships with search firms specializing in supporting teachers of color and graduate institutions that serve students of color.
The OEI also collaborates with the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which works closely with proctors, student listeners, the student council and all Academy departments to educate the community about equity, diversity and inclusion. The OMA Dean sits on many committees, including Health and Wellness, Academic Advising, Assembly Committee and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Committee. All of these play an important role in supporting students and the equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives in our community.