Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at WKU

Western Kentucky University tied for the highest score among Kentucky's public, four-year institutions on the Council on Postsecondary Education’s (CPE) annual diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) report.

The CPE measures all public universities and community colleges on a) the recruitment and enrollment of diverse students (Opportunity), b) success of diverse students (Success), and c) campus climate, inclusiveness, and cultural competency (Impact). All Kentucky public, four-year institutions are evaluated on a 36-point rubric based on quantitative data and a qualitative narrative outlining DEI initiatives. The CPE quantitative metrics include undergraduate and graduate enrollment, workforce diversity, retention rates, graduation rates, and the number of degrees completed by both underrepresented minorities and low-income students.

This year, WKU received its highest score to date, 30 out of 36; 12/18 for the quantitative measures and 18/18 for the qualitative narrative. WKU and the University of Kentucky tied for the highest score.

WKU’s DEI Workgroup, led by Chief Diversity Officers Mr. Michael P. Crowe Jr. and Dr. Molly Kerby, credits the University’s commitment to the ONE WKU Campaign launched in Fall 2020. The report solidifies the successful, collaborative work among the divisions of Academic Affairs, Enrollment and Student Experience, and other support units like Human Resources, Equal Employment Opportunity, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, and Communications & Marketing.

“The team actively made strides over the last year in shifting the culture of WKU in terms of inclusive classroom and workplace practices among faculty and staff,” Dr. Kerby said.

As a result of these efforts, WKU became the first university in Kentucky to receive approval from the CPE for the Kentucky cultural competency credential certification with the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning’s ONE WKU Inclusive Teaching Academy, led by Dr. Marko Dumančić and the DEI Community of Practice Fellows.

In 2022-23, the Chief Diversity Officers and DEI Workgroup will continue to work on strategies to create a more equitable and inclusive campus at WKU, Dr. Kerby said.

Contact: Dr. Molly Kerby, molly.kerby@wku.edu

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.