A Commitment to Inclusive Excellence and Belonging
A Message from the Dean of the College of Science and Health
In the College of Science and Health (CSH), our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is central to who we are and how we define excellence. This commitment is deeply aligned with DePaul University’s Vincentian mission and our responsibility to care for and support the full potential of every member of our community. It also reflects our belief that how we educate, engage, and lead must be grounded in dignity, respect, and opportunity for all.
As we look to the future, our focus is clear. We are working to build a College where every student, faculty, and staff member experiences a strong sense of belonging, has access to meaningful opportunities, and is supported in reaching their full potential. This vision is not aspirational alone—it is a direction that guides our decisions, our priorities, and our continued growth as a College.
We know that the strength of science and health education—and the impact it has on our communities—depends on the diversity of perspectives we bring together and the environments we create to support those perspectives. Creating that environment requires more than intention. It calls for thoughtful design of our systems, intentional support for our students, and a shared commitment to how we engage with one another as a community.
On a personal level, this work remains deeply meaningful to me. My journey in science and health has reinforced both the importance of opportunity and the impact of belonging. As an African American woman in science and health leadership, I have experienced both the possibilities and the challenges within our fields, and those experiences continue to shape my commitment to this work. They reinforce my belief that when individuals are supported and empowered, they are able to contribute in ways that strengthen our entire community.
In the CSH, this work is not separate from our core priorities—it is embedded within them. Our efforts to enhance student success, strengthen pathways, expand access to research and experiential learning, and deepen community partnerships are all part of how we advance inclusive excellence. When students feel connected, supported, and seen, they are better positioned to persist, to achieve, and to lead in meaningful ways.
This work also requires ongoing reflection and accountability. We are committed to examining our practices, listening to our community, and building structures that are proactive, responsive, and aligned with our values. In doing so, we ensure that our commitment is not only stated, but experienced across all aspects of the College.
This is collective work, and it requires engagement, partnership, and shared responsibility across our College and beyond. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners all play an important role in shaping the environment we seek to create. Together, we have the opportunity to build a College that reflects our values and advances meaningful impact.
Looking ahead, we are committed to shaping a future where inclusive excellence is not aspirational—it is realized in the experiences of our students, the strength of our community, and the impact of our work in science and health. This is the direction we are moving, and it is a responsibility we carry forward together.
Stephanie T. Dance-Barnes, PhD
Dean, College of Science and Health
DePaul University