The National Conference on Diversity, Race and Learning

...celebrating over 40 years of ODI's service to The Ohio State University and Ohio at-large...

Recent Name Change:
Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, formerly the Office of Minority Affairs, was created in 1970 or provide leadership for The Ohio State University in supporting the success of minority students, faculty and staff.  We advance an academic excellence agenda and advocating for campus diversity, cultural enrichment, and professional and scholastic equity and inclusion.  The Office undertakes initiatives aimed at the recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students, faculty and staff, by working with academic units, community partners, and national organizations and institutions.  ODI promoted a welcoming climate and serves in an advocacy role for historically oppressed and underrepresented populations both at The Ohio State University and in the larger community.

Our Mission

You and your colleagues are invited to participate in our Annual National Conference on Diversity, Race & Learning (NCDRL) at The Ohio State University. It is the University’s most comprehensive single day conference that focuses on issues of diversity and cultural inclusion and acceptance. It is scheduled for the first Tuesday of May each year. (The 18th Annual NCDRL is scheduled for Tuesday, May 1, 2012)

The Ohio State University's president, Dr. E. Gordon Gee, in a convocation ceremony speech asserted; "College is a time to explore ideas, even ones you may have thought were 'wrong.' Celebrate difference. Rock a few boats - including your own. At the same time, respect others. Practice civility. Protect your integrity…. Know that you have my best personal wishes and my commitment to assist you along the way. I ask you to help us take Ohio State beyond excellence to eminence among American universities." Dr. Gee has also acknowledged his support of both the Diversity Action Plan and the Academic Plan, which "...call for us to 'create a diverse university community'," and urge that "affirmative action policies used to achieve diversity in higher education need to continue."

In response to the university's philosophy and mission of OSU's Office of Diversity and Inclusion along with Big 10 diversity initiatives, we are hosting this conference to strengthen and make new strides toward the goal of meaningful change. This will be accomplished through sessions that offer a multi-leveled examination of "diversity", as a concept, and its implementation within institutions of higher education, the corporate world, the religious community, the larger community, including public service. It is an "in-service" and Continuing Education opportunity that will provide an occasion for enlightenment, to develop new strategies, borrow from each other’s experiences and expertise, find understanding of differences, and positive solutions for empowerment. This day long event will also serve as an opportunity for all participants who join us to dialogue, brainstorm; as we seek to create models to establish equity at all levels.