Inclusive Excellence Week

How do we envision and create a global future that centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion? Learn with us during the Elliott School’s third annual Inclusive Excellence Week, March 20 - March 23.

We invite you to participate in four days of intentional programming, panels, workshops, and community spaces focused on the intersections of diversity, equity, inclusion, and international affairs.

Our theme is Prism of Diversity: Championing inclusion and equity in International Affairs. The purpose of enacting change in International Affairs (IA) operates like a prism; that one goal to make the world better, is composed of an array of colors and shades (identities) that come together to make this goal a reality. This year’s Inclusive Excellence Week aims to acknowledge and celebrate all the diverse voices and agents of change currently making a positive impact in International Affairs, the different disciplines, and areas of life where IA has a presence. Additionally, we will take this conference as an opportunity to advocate for expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in IA.

About the Program

What is Inclusive Excellence (IE)?

Inclusive excellence is the alignment of our policies, processes, and practices to ensure the Elliott School has:

• access and equity in all we do and for all members of our community
• inclusive learning and development
• a curriculum that is diverse, inclusive, relevant; and
• a climate where everyone feels they are not only included but belong

The Elliott School’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion developed the Action Plan for Inclusive Excellence in alignment with the IE framework, and to continue building on this model, each session of Inclusive Excellence Week will relate to one of the following goals:

• Access and Equity: The compositional number and success levels of historically underrepresented students, faculty, and staff in higher education.
• Diversity in the Formal & Informal Curriculum: Diversity content in the courses, programs, and experiences across the various academic programs and the social dimensions of the campus environment.
• Learning and Development: The acquisition of content knowledge about diverse groups and cultures and the development of cognitive complexity.
• Campus Climate: The development of a psychological and behavioral climate supportive of all.

Williams, D. A., Berger, J. B., & McClendon, S. A. (2005). Toward a model of inclusive excellence and change in postsecondary institutions. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Each session meets one or more of the following outcomes. Participants will be able to:

• Increase their personal, professional, and community commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Celebrate diversity and the efforts to advance equity
• Establish a sense of community with Elliott School students, faculty, staff, and alumni
• Identify connections and the value of Inclusive Excellence in international affairs
• Apply their gained skills and knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion into their academic and professional journeys
• Increase cultural competence in the Elliott School community

Keynote Speaker: Hadeil Ali

Hadeil Ali is director of the Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The program is dedicated to elevating diverse voices and perspectives to lead to more ideas, more innovation, and more robust policy solutions. Ms. Ali serves as a thought leader on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the national security space. She previously served as a program manager with the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy at CSIS, where she led professional development opportunities for interns, staff, and external stakeholders. Prior to joining CSIS, she worked for World Learning, where she managed State Department grants and led youth educational development initiatives in the Middle East. Ms. Ali is the chair of the Think Tank Diversity Consortium. She is the events and programming lead with the Race Across the Pond Initiative at Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) and a facilitator with the Anti-Racism Project. Ms. Ali has published numerous pieces with CSIS, Inkstick Media, Business Insider, and Medium on the topics of DEI and national security. She has participated in dozens of panels, lectures, and conferences throughout the United States. She is a ’22 ICAP fellow. She holds an MA in contemporary Arab studies with highest honors from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and a BA in international relations and communications summa cum laude from Drury University. She speaks French, Arabic, and Spanish.