Rider Unveils Inclusive Excellence Plan

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Rider University has unveiled a plan to help it advance as an inclusive university while highlighting its already existing values of diversity, equity and inclusion. Rider’s Inclusive Excellence Plan also aligns with and advances the university's strategic plan, the university recently announced.

"Every student at Rider University should feel our commitment to inclusion at the core of their experience, and this will require the entire University community to embrace the goals and actions set forth in this plan," Rider University President Dr. Gregory Dell'Omo said. "I am committed to this work alongside you, and I am excited to see Rider’s future as an increasingly inclusive campus community."

The plan comes from work completed by the President's Council on Inclusion, which was charged with recommending how to promote the University's values around equity and inclusion.

It sets forth explicit goals around institutional inclusion, including improving the diversity of employees and enhancing the support for underrepresented students, as well as enhancing structural support, among other goals.

Rider Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Leanna Fenneberg and Rider Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Alison Thomas-Cottingham co-chaired the 21-member President’s Council on Inclusion.

"This plan is designed, in part, to dismantle the significant barriers underrepresented or marginalized students face in achieving college success," Fenneberg said. "Rider makes an educational promise to each of its students, and to assure that promise, we need to fully consider their individual needs."

Rider accepted a freshman class that is 49 percent students of color this year, its most diverse class in history, according to the university. The class is also comprised of a number of students who are first-generation, have differing abilities, identify as LGBTQ+, among other identities, according to the university.

The plan looks back at Rider’s history of inclusion, including the admittance of its first international and female students in 1866, one year after it was founded.

Rider also already offers many programs, resources and services that currently support inclusion efforts. These include the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Educational Opportunity Program, TRIO programs, Veterans Affairs, Student Accessibility and Support Programs, and a multitude of multicultural student organizations.

“It’s imperative that we continue to strive for inclusive excellence at Rider and foster a sense of belonging where each student feels valued and respected,” Fenneberg said. “We hope that each member of the Rider community embraces this vision and finds meaningful ways to contribute to our institutional inclusion goals.”

For more information on Rider's commitment to inclusive excellence, visit www.rider.edu/inclusive-excellence-plan.