Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The Research, Educational Measurement, and Psychometrics (REMP) concentration at the University of Massachusetts is committed to increasing diversity and inclusiveness in our field. We provide equal opportunity to, and encourage applications from, people of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, gender identifications, incomes, ages, and physical abilities.
We acknowledge that diversity enhances the relevance and substance of our work. By embracing diversity and inclusion in all that we do, we strengthen our community, our pedagogy, our research, and the future design, development, and delivery of assessments that account for and value the inherent differences across and between diverse populations.
It is incumbent upon each member of the REMP community to share the responsibility of creating and maintaining an environment of mutual respect and support.
We recognize that diversity is an ongoing commitment, rather than an outcome measured in a single point in time. Consequently, REMP will continuously and proactively adhere to the following principles:
-
Engagement: educate (through workshops, guest speakers, coursework, activities) our students and faculty to be social justice advocates
-
Awareness: students and faculty must commit to, at all times, critically analyzing our own perspectives and identities, consider our implicit biases, and understand the impact these perspectives and biases have on the development of assessments
-
Representativeness: actively work to increase the presence of underrepresented and historically marginalized groups in our program through intentional recruitment plans and comprehensive retention efforts
-
Accountability: hold ourselves accountable for acknowledging and working against all forms of oppression and discrimination
See our Social Justice Requirement for coursework.
Visit our Funding page for fellowship opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Community at UMass
Visit the Graduate Student Senate website for a list of registered Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs).
Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success
The Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) opened doors in 2011 to support the student success and sense of belonging of first generation, students of color, multiracial students, and low-income students.
Center for Women & Community
The Center for Women and Community (CWC) is a multicultural campus-based center established in 1972. We offer many services to meet the needs of the diverse cultural and linguistic populations of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Five Colleges and surrounding Hampshire County community. Our mission is to provide innovative and informed education, leadership opportunities, advocacy and support services that address the cause and impact of sexism and recognize the multiple oppressions experienced by women. We serve people of all gender identities within the diverse communities of Hampshire County, the Five Colleges and the University of Massachusetts.
Disability Services
Disability Services at UMass Amherst is committed to full access for all persons at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and embraces the philosophies of diversity and multiculturalism. Direct services are provided for all types of disability. Disability Services also provides information and referral on issues of accessibility, as well as training and staff development to the University community.
Graduate Queers and Allies
The goal of Graduate Queers and Allies is to create fun social opportunities on campus and in Western Mass for Queer and Trans Graduate Students and Allies. We hope this group creates a vulnerable and authentic space for individuals to form new friendships and build community.
Graduate Students of Color Association
The Graduate Students of Color Association (GSCA) was founded in Fall 2012 in response to a call for a greater sense of community among graduate students of color at UMass Amherst. The GSCA seeks to build and sustain a supportive community for graduate students of color that contributes to their academic development, social growth, and well-being. We are committed to increasing the enrollment, retention, and success of people of color at the graduate student level, as well as at all levels of the university. Looking to the future, The GSCA aims to actively promote events on campus that bring attention to issues of diversity. Additionally, the GSCA seeks to increase enrollment and retention of graduate students of color, by organizing professional workshops, promoting mentoring, and providing a social network for graduate students of color to meet and work with others who share their academic and personal interests. Membership is open to all graduate students, regardless of racial or ethnic background.
Graduate Women in STEM
The Graduate Women In STEM (GWIS) organization is committed to the professional and personal advancement of women pursuing careers in STEM and related fields. By encouraging successful scientific research strategies and practices, developing professional networking skills and supporting the integration of career with personal goals, we seek to empower women to achieve academic and professional excellence. We embrace an inclusive and diverse membership in order to enhance the participation and recognition of women in STEM, catalyze change in the professional climate, and inspire the success of future generations of STEM professionals.
Office of Family Resources
The Office of Family Resources (OFR) understands the challenges of parenting, particularly while managing academic and/or professional responsibilities. Our programs and services provide UMass families with support, education, and resources, not only to meet those challenges, but to succeed.
Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life offers a range of educational programs, individual and institutional advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and other bridge-building activities designed to foster an informed, caring and supportive campus community for students of all backgrounds and beliefs, and to promote a greater sense of meaning and purpose in students' lives. We strive to foster mutual understanding and respect among students of all religious backgrounds (whether religiously observant or not); to promote dialogue; and to provide appropriate support for and heighten awareness of the diverse religious and spiritual traditions which are present on our campus.
The Stonewall Center
The mission of the Stonewall Center is to provide support, resources, programming, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA) and allied students, staff, and faculty at UMass Amherst and for the larger Pioneer Valley. We also seek to educate the campus and local community about heterosexism, genderism, other forms of oppression, and the intersections of identities and oppressions in order to strengthen and sustain an inclusive climate for LGBTQIA individuals and their allies. We work closely with other campus departments and offices and local organizations to foster student learning, development, and leadership; promote academic excellence; build LGBTQIA communities; and enhance the lives of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.