Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at EMU
Let’s Belong Together!
At the heart of EMU’s mission––as an academic institution rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition–– lies our commitment to academic excellence, peace and justice, active faith, and the transformational power of community.
The DEI team at EMU is driven by the vision to co-create a community of learners where everyone feels connected, accepted, valued, and respected. At EMU, we know that removing barriers and opening new pathways and achievements for ALL requires the constructive disruption of current norms, policies, and power structures, which must go hand in hand with building relationships across differences. In this journey, we take time to vibe together by celebrating milestones and successes. We are forging a path toward a more inclusive and equitable campus experience.
- We strive to extend the richness of the EMU experience to students, faculty, and staff who may have felt marginalized in the past.
- Our aspiration is to share power, stories, challenges, wisdom, and dreams with authenticity, forging a campus community where we embrace our common humanity and build meaningful relationships with each other.
- Our commitment leads us to address historical barriers that underrepresented and marginalized groups have faced at EMU. This requires us to confront the root causes of discrimination, racial injustice, gender inequities, sexual orientation marginalization, structural racism, and various other forms of oppression.
- We aspire to amplify the sustainability narrative by incorporating racial equity and social justice as essential components for advancing environmental and climate justice.
Come join our EMU community, a place where you belong, you matter, and you are seen!
Shannon W. Dycus
Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity and Belonging
Support DEI: Let's Transform Lives Together
Your generosity to the DEI fund will support our students to have the opportunity to thrive in a community of learners where they feel connected, accepted, valued and respected. Join us on our transformative journey where every donation, big or small, becomes a catalyst for positive impact in shaping our future of belonging.
What We Do
Shannon Dycus | Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging
Shannon Dycus, most recently co-pastor of First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, brings experience in the pastorate, higher education and K-12 education. The Vice President is the senior student affairs representative at EMU, responsible for the co-curricular aspects of learning and living on campus for all students. Student Affairs includes the student life, athletics, and DEI teams that work collaboratively towards student success and belonging.
Dawn Neil | DEI Coordinator
Dawn Neil serves as the coordinator for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and
works directly with Shannon Dycus to further change at EMU.
Dawn strives to continue to learn and grow and be an advocate for change. She sees
her role as supporting and strengthening advocacy for change. She is a first-generation
graduate. She received her BS in Communication at Bridgewater College and her MA in
Organizational Leadership at Eastern Mennonite University.
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