"Find your council. Your council refers to trusted individuals who provide you with valuable advice, guidance, and perspective. They are the mentors, role models and confidants who will help shape your professional and personal growth."

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As KCU affirmed in 2018 with the launch of our most recent campus climate study, and have continually reaffirmed in the time since, we are One University. KCU aspires to be a campus community in which all members feel accepted, all experiences and perspectives are respected, and all voices are equally valued.

KCU respects every individual’s right to hold opinions and beliefs different from their peers and colleagues. But as One University we all must also respect that each of us have, and deserve, equal rights. We will never fully understand each other’s immensely unique experiences, fears or motivations, and our university family includes myriad beliefs – some of which may, at times, conflict. So, how do we best move forward together?

KCU medical student receives national attention for study on septic shock

Despite many advances in medicine, septic shock remains a serious illness. An ongoing study conducted in part by KCU third-year medical student Takara Newsome-Cuby shows much promise.

KCU student awarded for research at AOA Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine Global Health Competition

Tafadzwa Amani, fourth-year KCU osteopathic medical student, won best overall during the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine’s 25^th Annual Global Health Competition for her research entitled Epidemiology of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Associated Factors in Rural Guatemala.

KCU student takes part in research describing risks of vaping CBD among youth

A team led by UNMC College of Public Health researchers has published an article that describes the risks of vaping cannabidiol (CBD) among adolescents. Avina Mahorke, KCU-Joplin College of Osteopathic Medicine student who served as a co-author of the study, said that “nearly 6% of the whole cohort did not know if they had vaped CBD or not.”

KCU student returns after helping Maui wildfire victims

The Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine gives support and help to all of our medical students, including those serving the community. When second-year student Kenya Sherman of Hawaii needed support following the tragic wildfires on Maui, fellow students, faculty and staff joined in to help Kenya get desperately needed medicine and supplies to people who need it.

Find more DE&I stories by clicking here.

Racial Equity Training and Initiatives

KCU’s commitment to improving racial equity is an ongoing process, and we are dedicated to continually learning from each other in order to develop meaningful policies and strategies for action. Learn more.

LGBTQIA+ Initiatives

KCU is committed to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and providing resources for our entire campus community to grow in allyship. Learn More

On-Demand Diversity Training

The following online options are available for KCU students, faculty and staff to access individually and at their own pace. Learn More.

Voices and Stories

This page is dedicated to the voices that have helped to create the KCU Diversity, Equity and Inclusion story: students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners and visitors. Learn More.

“Graduates, if there was ever a time when the world needed the intellect, tenacity, vision and fortitude of a healer, a comrade, or a co-conspirator in this hard work called health equity, we need it now. You are our very best thing. Now is your time to help heal us, help restore a limping health care field and a hurting nation."

- Qiana Thomason, MSW, president and chief executive officer of Health Forward Foundation

Watch her full Class of 2023 commencement speech starting at 58:00 by clicking here.

- Qiana Thomason, MSW, president and chief executive officer of Health Forward Foundation

Watch her full Class of 2023 commencement speech starting at 58:00 by clicking here.

Civility. Compassion. Change.

It is only by each of us operating with both civility and compassion that KCU can hope to effect the social and systemic changes that will help create an equal, equitable and diverse society for future generations. As a university, KCU is committed to advancing every student, faculty and staff member’s understanding of the complex issues facing marginalized groups. And as One University, KCU is dedicated to ensuring that our campuses are supportive, safe and vibrant communities for all.

Mission

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion strives to foster a transformative, welcoming, equitable and inclusive environment for faculty, staff and students who bring varied human characteristics, backgrounds, interests and points of views.

Vision

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will lead university efforts to completely integrated diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion into all of our core activities. Through providing diverse education, conversations, communication and collaboration we will promote a culture of understanding. To develop within our campus community the capacity and resolve to make a better world through productive citizenship and collective stewardship.

Core Values

We all share in the responsibility to create a positive culture and to safeguard equity, inclusion, dignity, and respect for all. Each member of the University community—faculty, staff and students—should be a role model for others.

We strive for excellence and recognize that our differences make us stronger. We respect and seek out inclusion of differences, realizing we can learn from each other.

Affirming diversity is an essential element in accomplishing the research, teaching, and service missions of Kansas City University. Affirming diversity is critical in providing culturally competent healthcare. A diverse health-care workforce is essential to meet the needs of the rapidly changing demographics of today’s environment.