For Employers
Northeastern’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We are committed to engaging in the ongoing education of ourselves and others, disrupting biases and inequitable systems, and amplifying impact through our partnerships with students, alumni, and employers in hiring, programming, and services. It is our goal to continue expanding our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work to support all our constituents in achieving their goals and a more just society. This is our call to action.
DEI Glossary
Here are some general terms to know to address individuals, populations, processes, and social concepts accurately.
Ability– A person’s experience and connection to their physical, mental, and emotional capabilities. Someone’s ability can evolve over time as people age or have specific physical, mental, and emotional experiences that change the way they operate.
From: Cornell
Ableism– Beliefs or practices that rest on the assumption that being able-bodied is “normal” while other states of being need to be “fixed” or altered. This can result in devaluing or discriminating against people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric disabilities.
From: Harvard University
Accessibility–
i) The “ability to access” the functionality of a system or entity, and gain the related benefits.
ii) The degree to which a product, service, or environment is accessible by as many people as possible.
From: Harvard University
Accessible Design– Ensures both direct (unassisted) access and indirect access through assistive technology (e.g., computer screen readers).
From: Harvard University
Accommodation– A change in the environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to have equal opportunity, access and participation.
From: Harvard University
Accomplice– Someone who uses the power and privilege they have to challenge the status quo, often risking their physical and social well being in the process. While an ally is willing to stand in support of a marginalized voice, risk is rarely involved. All accomplices are allies, but not all allies are accomplices.
From: UW Foster
Advocate– A person who actively works to end intolerance, educate others, and support social equity for a marginalized group; to actively support or plea in favor of a particular cause, the action of working to end intolerance or educate others.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Ageism–
i) A socially constructed way of thinking about older persons based on negative attitudes and stereotypes about aging.
From: UW Foster
ii) Prejudiced thoughts and discriminatory actions, such as referring to someone’s age in a context in which age is not relevant, based on differences in age.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Ally– Someone who supports a group other than one’s own (in terms of multiple identities such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc.). An ally acknowledges oppression and actively commits to reducing their own complicity, investing in strengthening their own knowledge and awareness of oppression.
From: UW Environment
American– A native or inhabitant of any of the countries of North, South, or Central America. Widely used to denote a native or citizen of the United States.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Antiracism– Any idea that suggests that racial groups are equals in all their apparent differences – that there is nothing right or wrong with any racial group. (Adapted from lbram X. Kendi.)
From: Cornell
Anti‐Semitism– The fear or hatred of Jews, Judaism, and related symbols.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Belonging– Everyone is treated and feels like a full member of the larger community, and can thrive.
From: Harvard University
Bias– Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in an unfair or negative way.
From: Harvard University
Bias Incident– An action taken that one could reasonably and prudently conclude is motivated, in whole or in part, by the alleged offender’s bias against an actual or perceived aspect of diversity.
From: Cornell
Bicultural– A person who functions effectively and appropriately and can select appropriate behaviors, values, and attitudes within either of two cultures; a person who identifies with two cultures.
From: University of Pittsburgh
BIPOC– “Black, Indigenous, [and] People of Color.” This term is used to center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.
From: Cornell
Biracial– A person who identifies coming from two races. A person whose biological parents are of two different races.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Bisexual– A person who experiences attraction to some men and women, or identifies as experiencing an attraction to people of varying genders.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Black Lives Matter– A human rights movement, originating in the African-American community, that campaigns against violence and systemic racism toward black people. The movement began with the use of the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of African-American teen Trayvon Martin in February 2012.
From: Harvard University
Calling In– A communication method used when an individual wants to speak with another person, publicly or privately, about their behavior in a compassionate and patient way.
From: Cornell
Calling Out– A communication method generally focused on pointing out a mistake or disagreement instead of rectifying the damage caused.
From: Cornell
Cisgender– A person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth. For example, a person identified as female at birth who identifies as a woman can be said to be a cisgender woman.
From: Harvard University
Citizen– A legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Classism– Differential treatment based on social class or perceived social class. Classism is the systematic oppression of subordinated class groups to advantage and strengthen the dominant class groups. It’s the systematic assignment of characteristics of worth and ability based on social class.
From: UW Foster
Closeted or “In the Closet”– A term used to describe gender and sexual minorities who do not want or cannot reveal their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Code-switching– The conscious or unconscious act of altering one’s communication style and/or appearance depending on the specific situation of who one is speaking to, what is being discussed, and the relationship and power and/or community dynamics between those involved. Often members of target groups code-switch to minimize the impact of bias from the dominant group.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Colonialism– The exploitative historical, political, social, and economic system established when one group or force takes control over a colonized territory or group; the unequal relationship between colonizer and the colonized.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Colonization– The action or process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area. The action of appropriating a place or domain for one’s own use.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Color-blindness– refers to the disregard of racial characteristics; the belief in treating everyone “equally” by treating everyone the same; based in the presumption that differences are by definition bad or problematic, and therefore best ignored (i.e., “I don’t see race.”).
Proponents of color-blind practices believe that treating people equally inherently leads to a more equal society and/or that racism and race privilege no longer exercise the power they once did, while opponents of color-blind practices believe that color-blindness allows those in power to disregard or ignore the history of oppression and how it is experienced today.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Colorism– A form of prejudice or discrimination in which people are treated differently based on the social meanings attached to skin color.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Coming Out– The process by which LGBTQI individuals recognize, accept, typically appreciate, and often celebrate their sexual orientation, sexuality, or gender identity/expression. Coming out varies across culture and community.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Cultural Appropriation– Adopting aspects of a minority culture by someone outside the culture, without sufficient understanding of its context or respect for the meaning and value of the original. Cultural appropriation done in a way that promotes disrespectful cultural or racial stereotypes is considered particularly harmful.
From: Harvard University
D.A.C.A (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)– An American immigration policy that allows some individuals who were brought to the United States without inspection as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit in the U.S.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Deaf– Used to describe a person with total or profound hearing loss.
Note: Many only have mild or partial loss of hearing. Use person with hearing loss, partially deaf, or hearing impaired for individuals with partial loss of hearing.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Decolonize– The active and intentional process of unlearning values, beliefs, and conceptions that have caused physical, emotional, or mental harm to people through colonization. It requires a recognition of systems of oppression.
From: University of Pittsburgh
DEIA– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access
DEIB– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
DEIJ– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
Disability– Having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This is includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability.
From: UW Foster
Discrimination: The unequal treatment of members of various groups, based on conscious or unconscious prejudice, which favors one group over others on differences of race, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, language, age, national identity, religion and other categories.
From: UW Environment
Diversity–
1) The wide range of identities people possess. It broadly includes race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, veteran status, physical appearance, etc.
2) Different ideas, perspectives and values.
From: UW Environment
Empathy– The ability to imagine what something might feel like for someone who experiences the world in a different way than you do. It involves showing sensitivity and responding to another’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences as though you were experiencing them yourself.
From: Cornell
Employee Resource Group (ERG)– An employer-sponsored or –recognized affinity group of those who share the interests and concerns common to those of a particular race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
From: Harvard University
Environmental Justice– The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
From: SAMHSA
Environmental Racism– The disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color.
From: SAMHSA
ESL– English as a Second Language
Ethnicity– A socially or politically constructed group based on cultural criteria, such as language, customs, and shared history.
From: UW Foster
Ethnocentrism– The emotional attitude that one’s own race, nation, or culture is superior to all others.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Equity–
i) The fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups.
From: UW Environment
ii) Resources are distributed based on the tailored needs of a specific audience. Equity recognizes that some communities will need more—or different—access compared to other communities.
From: SAMHSA
Euro-Centric– The inclination to consider European culture as normative. While the term does not imply an attitude of superiority (since all cultural groups have the initial right to understand their own culture as normative), most use the term with a clear awareness of the historic oppressiveness of Eurocentric tendencies in U.S and European society.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Feminism– The valuing of women and the belief in and advocacy for social, political, and economic equality and liberation for both women and men. Feminism questions and challenges patriarchal social values and structures that serve to enforce and maintain men’s dominance and women’s subordination.
From: University of Pittsburgh
First-Generation Student– A college student with parents who do not have a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution.
Gender Bias– Favoritism toward one gender over another. Most often, gender bias is the act of favoring men and/or boys over women and/or girls.
From: SAMHSA
Gender Dysphoria– The distress that a person experiences when the sex they were assigned at birth (by way of anatomy) does not match their gender identity. A person may experience various degrees of dysphoria with respect to different parts of their anatomy. For example, a female-bodied person may experience dysphoria with their breasts and voice but not genitalia.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Gender Expression– The physical manifestation of gender identity through clothing, hairstyle, voice, body shape, etc.
From: SAMHSA
Gender Identity– A person’s internal understanding and perception of their gender. This understanding can be aligned with the social conditioning around their assigned sex at birth — what’s known as being cisgender — or it can be different from the social conditioning around their assigned sex at birth, which can encompass identities that are considered nonbinary, transgender, trans, gender nonconforming, or others.
From: Cornell
Gender-Neutral or Gender-Inclusive– Inclusive language to describe relationships (spouse and partner instead of husband/boyfriend and wife/girlfriend), spaces (gender-neutral/inclusive restrooms are for use by all genders), pronouns (they and ze are gender neutral/inclusive pronouns) among other things.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Gender Nonconforming or Gender Non-binary– A way of identifying and/or expressing oneself outside the binary gender categories of male/masculine and female/feminine.
From: Harvard University
Growth Mindset– As summarized by psychologist Carol Dweck who coined the term, “Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts). This is because they worry less about looking smart and they put more energy into learning. When entire companies embrace a growth mindset, their employees report feeling far more empowered and committed; they also receive far greater organizational support for collaboration and innovation.”
From: Cornell
Hate Crime– a crime motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of the victim.
From: University of Pittsburgh
HBCU- Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Homophobia– The irrational fear, dislike, hatred, aversion, intolerance, and ignorance of homosexuality.
From: UW Foster
HSI– Hispanic Serving Institution
Implicit Bias (or Unconscious Bias)- Attitudes and stereotypes that influence judgment, decision-making, and behavior in ways that are outside of conscious awareness and/or control.
From: Harvard University
Inclusion– The act or practice of behaviors and social norms that ensure people feel welcome. In the workplace, inclusion is the achievement of a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.
From: SAMHSA
Inclusive Language– Refers to non-sexist language or language that “includes” all persons in its references. For example, “a writer needs to proofread his work” excludes females due to the masculine reference of the pronoun. Likewise, “a nurse must disinfect her hands” is exclusive of males and stereotypes nurses as females.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Indigenous– People who share ancestral relationships and ties to the physical land and resources they currently occupy or from which they have been displaced due to historic colonization and conflict.
From: Cornell
Institutional Racism– Includes discriminatory treatment, unfair policies, or biased practices based on race that result in inequitable outcomes for white people over people of color and extend considerably beyond prejudice. These institutional policies typically do not mention any racial group, but the intent is to create advantages. Occurs in an organization. An example is a school system where students of color are more frequently distributed into the most crowded classrooms or underfunded schools and out of the schools with greater resources.
From: Cornell
Intent vs. Impact– Our intentions (what we want or hope to do) don’t always align with what we say or do which can impact how others receive what one says and does.
– Intent refers to what you hope or want to do when choosing to perform an action
– Impact refers to the reality (e.g. results) of your actions/ behaviors.
The resulting impact may not always align with what you intended. Owning the impact: When one’s impact is being called into question, especially if the action is perpetuating oppression, it is important to recognize the action is being called into question not the person/overall character.
From: UW Foster
Internalized Racism– When individuals from targeted racial groups internalize racist beliefs about themselves or members of their racial group. Examples include using creams to lighten one’s skin, believing that white leaders are inherently more competent, asserting that individuals of color are not as intelligent as white individuals, believing that racial inequality is the result of individuals of color not raising themselves up “by their bootstraps”. (Jackson & Hardiman, 1997).
From: University of Pittsburgh
Intersectionality– The complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect, and their multiple effects on the same individuals or groups. Also refers to the view that overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination and inequality can more effectively be addressed together.
From: Harvard University
Islamophobia– The irrational fear or hatred of Islam, Muslims, Islamic traditions, and practices, and, more broadly, those who appear to be Muslim.
From: University of Pittsburgh
“Isms”– A way of describing any attitude, action or institutional structure that oppresses a person or group because of their target group. For example, race (racism), gender (sexism), economic status (classism), older age (ageism), religion (e.g., anti-Semitism), sexual orientation (heterosexism), language/immigrant status (xenophobism), etc.
From: UW Environment
Justice– The establishment or determination of rights according to rules of law and standards of equity; the process or result of using laws to fairly judge crimes and criminality.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Latinx or Latine– A gender-neutral or non-binary alternative to Latino or Latina to describe a person of Latin American origin or descent.
From: Harvard University
LGBTQIA+– “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transexual, queer/questioning, intersex, and allied/asexual/aromantic/agender.”
From: UW Foster
Marginalized Identities– Members of social identity groups who are discriminated against, treated as insignificant, excluded, oppressed, classified in defined roles, or exploited by an oppressor and the oppressor’s system of institutions without identity apart from the target group.
From: Cornell
Major Bodily Functions– This term includes, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Major Life Activities– This term includes caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Microaggression– A comment or action that unconsciously or unintentionally expresses or reveals a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group, such as a racial minority. These small, common occurrences include insults, slights, stereotyping, undermining, devaluing, delegitimizing, overlooking or excluding someone. Over time, microaggressions can isolate and alienate those on the receiving end, and affect their health and wellbeing.
From: Harvard University
Microaffirmation– A microaffirmation is a small gesture of inclusion, caring or kindness. They include listening, providing comfort and support, being an ally and explicitly valuing the contributions and presence of all. It is particularly helpful for those with greater power or seniority to “model” affirming behavior.
From: Harvard University
Misgendering– Referring to or using language to describe a transgender person that doesn’t align with their affirmed gender—for example, calling a transgender woman “he” or “him.”
From: SAMHSA
Misogyny– Hatred of, aversion to, or prejudice against women. Misogyny can be manifested in numerous ways, including sexual discrimination, denigration of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification of women.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Multiracial– A person who identifies as coming from two or more racial groups; a person whose biological parents come from different racial groups.
From: University of Pittsburgh
National Origin– The political state from which an individual hails; may or may not be the same as that the person’s current location or citizenship.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Nativism– Prejudiced thoughts or discriminatory actions that benefit or show preference to individuals born in a territory over those who have migrated into said territory.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Neurodiversity– The awareness that every person’s brain operates differently. Neurodiversity encourages people to recognize that everyone may have different methods of learning or remembering information, as well as different ways of processing information and socially interacting with others.
Examples of neurodiverse identities include, but are not limited to, people who identify as experiencing autism, ADHD, ADD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, sensory-processing sensitivity, and Tourette’s Syndrome.
From: Cornell
Nonverbal Cues– All types of communication that do not have a direct verbal translation, including body language, position, and movements; facial expressions; and movement of objects.
From: Cornell
Norms– A standard or pattern, especially of social behavior, that is typical or expected of a group.
From: Cornell
Oppression- The systemic and pervasive nature of social inequality woven throughout social institutions as well as embedded within individual consciousness. Oppression fuses institutional and systemic discrimination, personal bias, bigotry and social prejudice in a complex web of relationships and structures.
From: UW Foster
Pansexuality– The romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attraction to people regardless of their gender.
From: UW Foster
Patriarchy– Actions and beliefs that prioritizes masculinity. Patriarchy is practiced systemically in the ways and methods through which power is distributed in society (jobs and positions of power given to men in government, policy, criminal justice, etc.) while also influencing how we interact with one another interpersonally (gender expectations, sexual dynamics, space-taking, etc.).
From: UW Environment
Performative Allyship– When an individual or group of power/majority/privilege (e.g., white, male, able-bodied, straight, etc) loudly profess(es) their actions in the name of ‘allyship,’ while actively conducting harm to, taking focus away from, and generally being unhelpful towards the group they claim to support, often to receive praise and attention, without taking critical action to dismantle the systems of harm.
From: UW Foster
Permanent Resident– Any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing in the U.S. under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent resident as an immigrant. Also known as permanent resident alien, resident alien permit holder, and green card holder.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Personal Identity– Our identities as individuals‐including our personal characteristics, history, personality, name, and other characteristics that make us unique and different from other individuals.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Power Dynamics– Refers to how power can affect a relationship between two or more people, usually when one side may be exerting more power than the other.
From: Cornell
Privileged Identities– Groups that hold certain social advantages, benefits, or degrees of prestige and respect that an individual has by virtue of belonging to certain social identity groups. Within American and other Western societies, those with privileged social identities have historically occupied positions of dominance over others.
From: Cornell
Pronouns– Words to refer to a person after initially using their name. Because many personal pronouns have gender (e.g., she, her), people generally like others to use pronouns that match their gender. In addition to “she/her,” personal pronouns include “he/him” and gender-neutral pronouns, such as “ze/hir” or “they/them.” Some people use specific pronouns, any pronouns, or none at all. Some people state their pronoun preferences as a form of allyship.
From: Harvard University & SAMHSA
Protected Status– A characteristic that, in accordance with federal and state law, is protected from discrimination and harassment: age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Psychological Safety– Creating and allowing for a space where team members feel comfortable showing ones full, authentic self, and surface problematic behaviors, without fear of negative consequences from employers or coworkers.
From: Cornell
Queer– A range of genders and sexualities who may not identify with a specific LGBT+ label. It acknowledges the fluidity of gender and sexuality, including people who are not exclusively straight and/or non-binary people. Previously used as a slur, this term is now used by choice and with pride by parts of the LGBTQ+ community.
From: SAMHSA
Queer Theory– A theoretical approach that critically deconstructs and challenges binaries such as male and female or heterosexual and homosexual.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Questioning– An identity label for a person who is exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity and is in a state of moratorium in terms of identity formation.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Race–
Racial categorization schemes were invented by scientists to support worldviews that considered some groups of people as superior and some as inferior. There are three important concepts linked to this fact:
i) Race is a made-up social construct, not an actual biological fact.
ii) Race designations have changed over time. Some groups that are considered “white” in the United States today were considered “nonwhite” in previous eras. This type of intentional racialization was connected to acts of genocide and discrimination.
iii) The way in which racial categorizations are enforced (the shape of racism) has also changed overtime. For example, the racial designation of Asian American and Pacific Islander changed four times in the 19th century. In other words, they were defined at times as white and at other times as not white. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, as designated groups, have been used by whites at different times in history to compete with African American labor.
From: Cornell
Racial Equity– The societal condition in which the distribution of resources and opportunities is neither determined nor predicted by race, and in which structures and practices in society provide true fairness.
From: SAMHSA
Racial Profiling– The use of race or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting someone of having committed an offense.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Racism– An umbrella term for individual, institutional, and systemic forms of racial prejudice. Any idea that suggests one racial group is inferior or superior to another racial group in any way. (Adapted from Ibram X. Kendi.) Other definitions include the idea that racism is the result of racial prejudice plus institutional power (Patricia Bidol, 1970).
From: Cornell
Reasonable Accommodation– Any modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodation also includes adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges in employment equal to those of employees without disabilities.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Refugee– A person that flees a country out of fear for their safety either for economic or political reasons, or due to a natural disaster, or because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on the person’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Safe Space– Refers to an environment in which everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves and participating fully, without fear of attack, ridicule or denial of experience.
From: UW Environment
Scapegoating– The action of blaming an individual or group for something when, in reality, there is no one person or group responsible for the problem. It targets another person or group as responsible for problems in society because of that person’s group identity.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Screen Reader– An assistive technology, primarily used by people with vision impairments, that converts text, buttons, images, and other screen elements into speech or braille.
From: Cornell
Sex– An identity category typically assigned to someone at birth based upon their genitalia. This includes a broad category known as intersex, which refers to when someone’s genitalia does not neatly fit into the binary male and female categories people are typically aware of.
From: Cornell
Sex Assigned at Birth (SAAB)– The biological category (female, male, or intersex) given at birth based on biological characteristics (i.e., physical anatomy and hormones).
From: SAMHSA
Sexual Orientation– A person’s preference in sexual partners. Sexual orientation identities can evolve over time as someone has more sexual experiences or discovers attractions to different sorts of people. Sexual orientation also includes a spectrum of asexuality, where some people may find that they prefer not to engage in sexual acts or prefer their engagement to exist in a specific personal context.
Some examples include, but are not limited to: heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay, homosexual, pansexual, queer, asexual, demisexual, and graysexual.
From: Cornell
Social Justice– A form of activism, based on principles of equity and inclusion that encompasses a vision of society in which the distribution of resources is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure. Social justice involves social actors who have a sense of their own agency as well as a sense of social responsibility toward and with others.
From: UW Environment
Stereotype– A form of generalization rooted in blanket beliefs and false assumptions, a product of processes of categorization that can result in a prejudiced attitude, critical judgment and intentional or unintentional discrimination. Stereotypes are typically negative, based on little information and does not recognize individualism and personal agency.
From: UW Environment
Structural inequality– Systemic disadvantage(s) of one social group compared to other groups, rooted and perpetuated through discriminatory practices (conscious or unconscious) that are reinforced through institutions, ideologies, representations, policies/laws and practices. When this kind of inequality is related to racial/ethnic discrimination, it is referred to as systemic or structural racism.
From: UW Environment
System of Oppression– Conscious and unconscious, non-random and organized harassment, discrimination, exploitation, discrimination, prejudice and other forms of unequal treatment that impact different groups. Sometimes is used to refer to systemic racism.
From: UW Environment
Transgender– An umbrella term used to describe a person whose gender identity is something other than their Sex Assigned at Birth (SAAB). Use the name and personal pronouns transgender people use for themselves. If you aren’t sure which pronouns to use, ask politely.
From: Harvard University & SAMHSA
Transphobia– The fear or hatred of persons perceived to be transgender and/or transsexual.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Two-spirit– Used by some Native Americans to refer to Native Americans who have both a male and a female spirit, or qualities of both genders. While the term was coined in 1990, it is an umbrella term to encompass various terms used for generations in some Native American tribes to identify people who embodied two or more, or alternate, genders. Not all Native Americans or Native American tribes use or recognize the term.
From: SAMHSA
Under-Represented Minorities (URM)– Some institutions have defined sub-groups within larger racial/ethnic minority groups that are particularly under-represented relative to their size. For example, in a given field, Mexican-Americans may be an under-represented minority, even if
Hispanic people are otherwise proportionately represented.
From: Harvard University
Undocumented– A foreign-born person living in a country without legal citizenship status.
From: SAMHSA
Undocumented Student– School-aged immigrants who entered the United States without inspection/overstayed their visas and are present in the United States with or without their parents. They face unique legal uncertainties and limitations within the United States educational system.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Union– A formal organization of workers that is formed to protect the rights of its members.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Universal Design– Ensures that an environment can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people
From: Harvard University
Upward Mobility (or Upward Social Mobility)– An individual’s or group’s (e.g., family) rise within the hierarchy that increases their level of class, power, or status.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Veteran Status– Whether or not an individual has served in a nation’s armed forces (or other uniformed service).
From: University of Pittsburgh
White Fragility– Coined by Robin D’Angelo, it describes the privilege that accrues to white people living in a society that protects and insulates them from race-based stress. D’Angelo argues that this builds an expectation of always feeling comfortable and safe, which in turn lowers the ability to tolerate racial stress and triggers a range of defensive reactions.
From: Harvard University
White Privilege– The unfair societal advantages that white people have over non-white people. It is something that is pervasive throughout society and exists in all of the major systems and institutions that operate in society, as well as on an interpersonal level.
From: UW Foster
White Supremacy– A power system structured and maintained by persons who classify themselves as White, whether consciously or subconsciously determined; and who feel superior to those of other racial/ethnic identities.
From: UW Environment
Xenophobia– A culturally based fear of outsiders. It has often been associated with the hostile reception given to those who immigrate into societies and communities. It could result from genuine fear of strangers or it could be based on things such as competition for jobs, or ethnic, racial, or religious prejudice.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Yes Means Yes– A phrase that defines sexual consent as an “affirmative, unambiguous, and conscious decision by each participant to engage in mutually agreed-upon sexual activity” according to California state legislation; ‘yes means yes’ shifts the responsibility of confirming consent from just one party to all parties involved.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Ze– Gender neutral pronouns that can be used instead of he/she.
From: University of Pittsburgh
Zir– Gender neutral pronouns that can be used instead of his/her.
From: University of Pittsburgh
The terms contained in this glossary have been gathered from the following resources:
- Cornell University Human Resources
- Harvard University Human Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- University of Pittsburgh Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- University of Washington College of the Environment
- University of Washington Foster School of Business
Guidance for Recruiting Northeastern’s Diverse Talent
This comprehensive webpage details potential employer engagement opportunities that center on DEI, providing ways you can connect with Northeastern students.
There are a variety of avenues for employers to get involved with Northeastern’s pool of diverse talent, including:
- Identity-based cultural/resource centers on the Boston main campus
- NU PLACE professional development programming like the B.L.A.C.K. and L.A.T.I.N.X. program
- Career Design programs like Husky Treks
- Identity-based student clubs and organizations
We encourage you to explore this site as a initial resource in your pursuits to develop a diverse workforce and/or partner with us.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Best Practices Guide
Designed with committed employers in mind, this guide provides some useful strategies to help source diverse talent. It serves as a solid foundation for establishing a diverse workplace.
Allyship in the Workplace
To create inclusive spaces, active allyship is imperative.
But what is allyship? How does this look in the workplace, and what are the benefits? What tangible actions can be taken to be an active ally?
We invite you to use the resources below to start to uncover what allyship in the workplace entails.
- What is Allyship? – Understand your privilege and positional power and learn how to take meaningful action as an ally.
- What Is Allyship? Your Questions Answered – Discover answers to commonly asked questions about allyship and the role leaders can play.
- Allyship – The Key To Unlocking The Power Of Diversity – If engaged correctly, allies hold the power and the key to stimulate positive change.
- 7 Ways to Practice Active Allyship – Covers seven allyship behaviors that employees at any level can engage in to nurture inclusion in their workplaces.
- How to be an ally in the workplace: 13 ways to do it – In addition to intervening, there are other important ways to support people who experience microaggressions, systemic inequities and other barriers to opportunity — and one way is through microafffirmations.
- Sharing the weight: How to know when — and how — to support marginalized people at work – Potential allies often don’t know how to start. The process involves some education, and a healthy dose of self-awareness.
- Recommended Readings – Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity – These resources are intended to help advance knowledge and understanding on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice as well as inspire positive and equitable social change.
Employer Conference: Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace
For graduates, early equitable access to hiring and advancement opportunities not only enables an organization to attract top talent but increases employee engagement and productivity, contributing directly to a company’s bottom line.
This 2021 conference shared best practices in workforce DEI efforts from a variety of Northeastern community members. It featured reflections from current students and their needs for DEI in the workplace and employers who recruit and retain diverse talent.
Here is the conference program for the event, which includes a schedule and the descriptions of the speakers.
Critical Questions to Consider for Creating Accountable Workplaces
The following dropdown contains questions meant for you to reflect, as an employer, on your efforts to uphold supportive DEI standards in your workplace.
- What steps are you actively taking to create equitable and inclusive environments that result in a sense of belonging for diverse talent within your organization?
- Do you have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or similar spaces?
- Have any educational training, readings, or other actionable resources been given to employees to help them learn about how to build authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds than their own?
- How frequently are these provided?
- Do your hiring practices encourage and ensure candidates from a variety of cultures and identities will apply?
- Why are you seeking to hire talent from various backgrounds? (i.e. are you looking to hire people from different backgrounds and identities in order to reach a specific quote/statistic or because you wish to add value to the workplace?)
- Do the identities of recruiters reflect the identities of the talent pool you are looking to hire, especially in career fair settings?
- Is there a shared understanding across your organization regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging practices?
- Are there institutional or structural inequitable policies or procedures within your organization? If so, what is being done to change them to make them more inclusive?
- Are employees aware of adverse situations like microaggressions and how they occur? How are these harmful instances handled? Are concerns taken seriously?
- Is allyship visible in your organization?
- If you do not have support systems and resources for diverse talent, what are you working toward implementing in your workplace?
- If you have support systems and resources for diverse talent, how are you continuously working toward improving them?
- On the individual level, what steps are you personally taking to continue educating yourself on the lived experiences of people with different or similar identities as your own?
- How do you know how your diverse talent feels about you and the workplace?
- Do you have check-ins with them?
- What is the culture of your workplace around mutual feedback (supervisee to supervisor and vice versa)? Is conflict seen as an opportunity for growth?
- Do you give them space to express when they feel like they do not belong?
- Do you provide opportunities for employees to feel seen and heard?
- Would they feel comfortable being honest with you about the workplace or their lived experiences?
- What is your mindset when it comes to being in a work environment with people who have different identities from your own?
- Do you see historically marginalized identities through a deficit-based perspective (as weaknesses that remove value from the workplace)?
- Do you see historically marginalized identities through an asset-based perspective (as strengths that add value to the workplace)?
- Are you actively aware of and controlling for biases in your hiring process while acknowledging and appreciating identity differences?
- Do you actively listen to your employees when they express concerns, give credit where it is due, present in an approachable way, and come from a place of understanding?
- Are you aware of and do you actively control for the power imbalances in your workplace (i.e. how a supervisor can have more perceived power than an employee) to help everyone feel they have a voice?
- How are people with different identities and backgrounds than your own treated fairly and with dignity and respect in the workplace?
- Are their opinions, ideas, and contributions seen the same as other workplace talent?
Additional Resources
Looking for more ways to heighten your DEI efforts? Feel free to browse through the additional resources below.
Did you know?
At NU PLACE, we deliver coaching lab presentations regularly to students, staff, and alumni during the academic year.
The primary topics we cover encompass dismantling imposter syndrome and navigating microaggressions in the workplace.
You can learn more about coaching labs here.