Diversity

About Meridian

Diversity of voices, of viewpoints, of constituents, of epistemology, and of learning praxis have each been central to the work and goals of Meridian University since the University’s inception. One of the challenges within educational organizations is to connect diverse individuals and communities. The competencies required for facilitating the recognition and engagement of difference is critical to learning environments.

In a student-centered approach to learning, students’ experience spontaneously unfolds in ways that reflect the impact of social injustice and oppression. Attention to the student’s unique experience ensures that oppression and other social justice issues that have impacted the student emerge and are addressed. At its best, the experience of the learning activities in the Meridian classroom liberates the student’s experience from the definitions, prescriptions, and devaluing that is intrinsic to oppressive injustice. Instead, the student’s experience, as it deepens and diversifies, can transmute into leadership capacities that empower the student on their chosen path of vocation and profession.

Meridian’s statement on diversity expresses the University’s commitment to the principles and processes involved in building an institution based on this foundational value, as follows: Meridian is committed to diversity across all criteria-of-difference in its staff, faculty, and students through affirmative hiring policies and practices as well as global availability of positions and educational offerings.

"I found a program at Meridian that integrated, within its academic requirements, challenges that engendered a richer and more expansive level of beingness to my life and work. The psychology program at Meridian is truly a transformative program."

— RICH MCCUTCHAN, ALUMNUS

Diversity Statistics

Increasing student, faculty, and staff diversity is a priority for the University as part of its ongoing Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. The dataset below was last updated in Summer 2023.

Student Diversity

<ImageZoom
  src="https://web-cdn.meridianuniversity.edu/site-content-images/about/diversity/mu-diversity-student-diversity-2024-09302024.webp"
  alt="student diversity stats"
  className="img-fluid mb-4"
/>
<h3 className="mb-4">Meridian Staff Diversity Stats</h3>
<ImageZoom
  src="https://web-cdn.meridianuniversity.edu/site-content-images/about/diversity/mu-diversity-staff-diversity-2024-0930204.webp"
  alt="meridian staff diversity stats"
  className="img-fluid mb-4"
/>
<h3 className="mb-4">Faculty Diversity</h3>
<ImageZoom
  src="https://web-cdn.meridianuniversity.edu/site-content-images/about/diversity/mu-diversity-faculty-diversity-2024-09302024.webp"
  alt="meridian faculty diversity stats"
  className="img-fluid mb-4"
/>
<h3 className="mb-4">LGBTQ+ Support at Meridian University</h3>
<p className="mb-4">
  The 2022-23 student survey at Meridian University demonstrates that 37& of
  the participants who were surveyed identified themselves as LGBTQ+. The
  subsequent information illustrates the extent to which LGBTQ+ students
  believe that Meridian University offers administrative assistance for
  LGBTQ+ matters, in addition to evaluating the success of LGBTQ+ students.
</p>
<ImageZoom
  src="https://web-cdn.meridianuniversity.edu/site-content-images/about/diversity/mu-diversity-lgbtqia-plus-statistics-image.webp"
  alt="meridian university lgbtq+ support at meridian university statistics"
  className="img-fluid"
/>