Diversity and  Equity

As a Christian institution with a Wesleyan heritage, Point Loma Nazarene University values and promotes diversity and equity.  A genuine openness to diverse “voices” and perspectives is a critical part of a liberal arts education.  Likewise, the capacity to understand, to appreciate, and to promote diversity and equity is a hallmark of an educated Christian.

Scripture calls us to love others and to reach out to people from diverse backgrounds.  Therefore, we respond to a moral imperative to diversify the University community by recruiting women and men from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds as students, faculty, and staff.  We are committed to creating a hospitable learning environment and maintaining policies and practices that reflect our commitment to diversity and equity.

John Wesley, with his theology of holy living, proclaimed that the world was his parish.  He equated piety with love of God and neighbor; he connected learning with practical acts of love and service; and he accepted leadership roles in the church for both women and men.  At PLNU it is our goal to cultivate compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a passion for equity for all women and men of all cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds not only here in our campus community but also in the world at large.
                                                                                                               
Our mission is to equip students to recognize and respond to their ethical responsibilities to promote diversity and equity in the world.  Preparing them to do this is a moral and cultural imperative.  We have programs designed to assist students to examine their biases and prejudices, whether intentional or unintentional; to understand the conflicts related to diversity and equity; to explore the dimensions of cross-cultural communication; to comprehend the influence of common and differing human experiences on perceptions of self and others; to validate the diversity of human experience in acts of devotion and acts of mercy that promote socio-economic justice; to practice Christian hospitality; to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a culturally responsive manner; and to recognize the responsibility to be Christian leaders in promoting diversity and equity in their work environments and the global community.

We recognize that some students, particularly those from a low socio-economic background, may not be adequately equipped for success in a university setting.  Therefore, we identify ways to enhance an optimal academic, spiritual, and social experience for those students.  Avenues for this type of support include the Academic Support Center, International Student Services Office, and the Office of Student Engagement and Transition.

Finally, though sometimes a challenge, recruitment of diverse faculty is also a priority.  Employing women and men of varying ethnic backgrounds as professors not only creates a more hospitable environment for diverse students and faculty, but also brings expertise to the faculty for the development of effective, responsive curricular programs and diversity and equity initiatives.