Institutional Commitments

Structural investments

Shaping the College to fulfill its mission by promoting diversity and engaged learning for all 

DEI Office created in July 2019

Access Barnard launched in Fall 2020

  • Access Barnard is the central hub for elevating academic experiences and fostering inclusion and excellence in first-generation, low-income, and international students during their transition and throughout their Barnard journey. It achieves this through empowering programs and resources that celebrate identity, build community, provide mentorship, and promote holistic development. http://joe-yan.net/access-barnard

CARES created to re-envision safety in January 2021

  • The CARES (Community Accountability, Response, and Emergency Services) department consists of four units: Response Team, Community Safety, Nondiscrimination & Title IX, and Preparedness, which collectively address safety concerns across physical, fire and life, structural, interpersonal, and psychosocial elements, helping to create a welcoming community where all can thrive. http://joe-yan.net/cares

CARDS launched in December 2018

  • The Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services (CARDS) serves students with permanent and temporary disabilities. CARDS is dedicated to offering support and reasonable accommodations for programmatic and physical access, aiming to ensure an inclusive environment. http://joe-yan.net/disability-services

CEP launched in May 2019

  • The Center for Engaged Pedagogy sees teaching and learning as transformative processes that foster mutual growth through meaningful engagement between students and teachers. It promotes inclusive and innovative pedagogical practices that recognize diverse forms of expertise, knowledge, and academic paths.http://cep.joe-yan.net/

Community Engagement and Inclusion launched in January 2021 

  • Community Engagement & Inclusion plays its role in and inclusive civic ecosystem by extending engaged learning beyond the campus, in conversation and partnership with Barnard, our neighbors in Harlem, and with the broader city. CEI has three core priorities which are engaged scholarship, community partnerships, and civic engagement. http://joe-yan.net/community-engagement-inclusion

Athena Center for Leadership

  • Nearly half of Barnard students are women of color, with a significant majority having held leadership positions before joining the college. The Athena Center for Leadership empowers these students through a diverse approach to leadership development, fostering collaboration, and addressing complex challenges within Barnard, Columbia University, and New York City. Athena serves as a longstanding hub for changemakers, emphasizing leadership as a practical skill across various domains, including entrepreneurship, advocacy, technology, research, and more. http://athenacenter.joe-yan.net/