Framework
What is USD’s diversity plan?
The University of San Diego Strategic Plan originates from the dual foundations of USD’s Catholic identity, mission and values.
Diversity is defined as “the condition of having or being composed of differing elements.”
These differences have been historically and socially constructed in ways that set value assumptions about what and who matters. This results in unequal power dynamics ranging from personal to local to global inequities.
As a Catholic university, USD seeks to justly represent the breadth and beauty of God’s creation in our own community, embracing the values of pluralism and equity. The diversity plan includes six terrains that provide a framework to organize USD’s inclusive excellence work.
Assessment
How is the plan actualized?
The plan collects and assesses efforts across the university — at the institution, division, area or department level — in the spirit of individual agency and shared responsibility. Initiatives that align with the six terrains of the Strategic Plan can be found by clicking the boxes below.
In the future, a committee for each terrain may be created — or current committees may be designated with new charges — to better ensure collaboration across initiatives and inform the Strategic Planning Steering Committee of any new strategic initiatives that may be needed to further actualize the plan.
Alignment
How does the plan align with other USD strategies?
This goal of “strengthening diversity, inclusion and social justice” can be achieved by justly representing the breadth and beauty of God’s creation in our own community and transforming the campus culture to ensure that all community members thrive. The Horizon Project is a new cross-terrain initiative that largely aligns to the first three terrains USD’s diversity plan.
Strategic Plan