Message from the President – December 3, 2019

Dear Colleagues and Students,

In light of discussions at the Faculty Senate meeting yesterday, their endorsement of the University’s Inclusive Excellence plan, as well as the broader context of conversations happening at this university (and at many institutions around the country), we are excited to announce that the President’s Diversity Advisory Council has finalized, in a statement, what Inclusive Excellence should mean for all of us at Georgia Southern University. We enthusiastically embrace this statement and thank all those who had input into crafting it.

This statement should serve as a constant reminder of how we turn our values into behaviors and actions. Please read this statement, share it, model it, and help others in Eagle Nation understand its importance. We plan to use it as a frequent reminder of our unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, and in response to those who promote hate and intolerance.

Inclusive Excellence is a strategic pillar and a core value at Georgia Southern University. We recognize that our success as an institution of higher learning depends on our ability to embrace, value, and appreciate the diversity of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni across our campuses.  Inclusive excellence is continuous and comprehensive; intentional and dynamic; transformational and innovative and is embedded in all aspects of our culture and actions. Inclusive excellence speaks to sustaining a campus climate that honors, respects, and is inclusive of all elements of diversity that makes each of us unique: culture, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, (dis)ability, creed, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, class, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political philosophy, etc. We uphold that all of our individual differences enrich our university. Together, we are Georgia Southern – committed to growing ourselves to grow others.

Kyle Marrero, President
Carl Reiber, Provost

Last updated: 4/2/2022