diversity thesis statement examples

25+ Examples of Helpful Diversity Statements [2024 Update]

How good is your diversity statement? I asked my team to send me some of the best examples of diversity statements they could find.

They reviewed the Fortune 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity list and also Googled “Most Diverse Companies.”

They gave me a list of 30 diversity statements they found.  I whittled that down to 10 that I believe are either excellent overall or at least have an idea or two for you to consider.  Editor’s Note of December 7, 2022: Since we first published this we found another 15+ awesome diversity statements so our list is now more than 25!

I ran the diversity statements through  Ongig’s Text Analyzer software to analyze them for masculine versus feminine words, offensive words, positive and negative words, and overall readability. You can also try these 5 Diversity tools  to write more inclusive content.

Table of Contents

• How to Write a Diversity Statement
• 25 Diversity Statement Samples
• Diversity Statement PDFs
• Diversity Statement Bonus Tips
• Diversity Essay Samples

How to Write Effective Diversity Statements

Here are the most popular questions people ask when researching “how to write a diversity statement?”. These tips should give you guidance on crafting your own diversity statement. 

What to look for in Diversity Statements?

The best diversity statements include:

• the company’s mission
• a commitment to diversity
• mention of specific underrepresented groups
• positive and inclusive language
• unique information or benefits for diverse groups

How long should diversity statements be?

The best companies use 20 to 75 words for their main diversity statement (e.g. typically the first paragraph opening up their diversity page or the words used for their diversity section in their job descriptions or a “workplace diversity statement” that might be plastered on your office walls).

If you have an entire page dedicated to your diversity statement, then you can elaborate way beyond 75 words to support your main statement.

To see some examples of companies that dedicate an entire page to Diversity and Inclusion, check out 5+ Impressive Diversity Pages (and Why!) .

Should I use headlines in my diversity statements?

The best diversity statements have a headline (other than just “Diversity Statement”) because it helps you stand out. Check out T-Mobile’s headline and sub-headline — they are so compelling that the candidate might already have been won over before the lengthier diversity statement below it.

Diversity Statements: Grade level readability

Most employers write to candidates at the 11th grade reading level but the best employers write at the 8th grade or lower (see my article on Why I Write my Job Postings at the 8th Grade Level (or Lower!).

A good rule of thumb is:

“the lower the grade level the better.”

Check out Oath’s low (good!) grade level readability below. Busy candidates appreciate the time you save them by writing in simple, plain English.

If you want to score your own job descriptions for readability, check out 5 Free Tools to Write Better Job Descriptions .

Words per sentence in diversity statements

The best diversity statements have short sentences because the longer your sentences the lower the retention. Eight words or less per sentence can equate to 100% comprehension; retention slips to 90% at 14 words per sentence, and 43-word sentences lower retention to 10% ( see The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)).

Here’s a (before & after) diversity statement, written to keep the sentences short:

• Before — “ Inclusion is how we unleash the power of diversity. We strive each day to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment in our diverse workplace, create relevant marketing for our diverse customers, listen before engaging in our diverse communities and work as a team alongside our diverse suppliers. “
• After — “Inclusion is how we unleash the power of diversity. We strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We create relevant marketing for our diverse customers. We listen and engage with our diverse communities. And we value teamwork with our diverse suppliers. “

You’ll notice that the diversity statement samples keep their sentences around 8 words. Here are 3 examples:

• T-Mobile —  8 words per sentence
• Genetech — 8.9 words per sentence
• Hubspot — 6-word headline 

Use of positive words in diversity statements

There are libraries of words proven to evoke positive versus negative feelings by readers. Your diversity statements should be chock full of positive words like:

• comfortable

Mentioning your mission in diversity statements

This can be useful as long as you tie it in well to your diversity statement (like Google does).

Some companies combine their diversity statement with a mission statement. Here are a few examples of companies with great diversity mission statements :

Ford Foundation’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mission Statement

At the Ford Foundation, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. Our commitment to these values is unwavering – across all of our work around the world. They are central to our mission and to our impact. We know that having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas to solve the complex problems of a changing—and increasingly diverse—world.

Amazon’s Diversity & Inclusion Mission Statement

Amazon’s mission is to be the earth’s most customer-centric company, and this mission is central to our work in diversity and inclusion.

Diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our products and services, and help us better serve customers, selling partners, content creators, employees, and community stakeholders from every background. We are constantly learning and iterating, whether through central programs, or work within our business teams, through programs that are local, regional, and global.

Uber’s Diversity & Inclusion Mission Statement

At Uber, our mission is to ignite opportunity by setting the world in motion. We see direct parallels between how we ignite opportunity through our company and how we ignite it within our company. But we also know that a solely data-driven approach will never be sufficient, because D&I is more than a box to check or a target to hit.

The numbers matter, but they’re only a starting point; a commitment to diversity and inclusion has to run much deeper. That’s why we’ve set an audacious goal: to make Uber the most diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace on the planet. And we’re not just setting high expectations for our own good. We’re aiming sky-high because we know from experience that reducing and eliminating inequity is hard to do if all you shoot for is incremental change.

Specifics usually help your diversity statements

The more specific you are the more candidates will trust you. Giving examples of your employee resource groups (like Stanley Black & Decker) is a great example of that.

Note: Another way to make a diversity statement is through diversity videos. Check out this article for inspiration:  Best Diversity and Inclusion Videos.

Here’s an example of a diversity statement that Ongig has recommended to our clients for use at the bottom of their job descriptions (feel free to riff on it or just copy it!):

Ongig D&I Statement

We embrace diversity and equality in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views.. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Creating a culture of Equality isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing.

25+ Examples of Diversity Statements

Ok, here are 25+ diversity statements that were either effective overall or have individual great nuggets to borrow from (which we highlight).

T-Mobile Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = Uniqueness is powerful.

Sub-Headline = Be yourself. We like it that way.

Diversity fuels the Un-carrier spirit. Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives us forward every day.

• Headline/Sub-Headline — “Uniqueness is powerful” and “Be yourself. We like it that way.” is a nice one-two punch that draws the candidate in.
• Length = 23 words (one of the shortest we’ve seen!)
• 7.7th grade reading level (Excellent!)
• Words per sentence = 8 (Outstanding)
• Positive words (powerful, spirit, commitment, experience)
• Great, engaging feature image:

GoDaddy Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = A Culture of Creativity is life at GoDaddy

A Culture of Creativity is life at GoDaddy. We hire the best, give them first-class training and set them loose. If you’re driven to perform, you’ll fit right in. We approach our work fearlessly, learn quickly, improve constantly, and celebrate our wins at every turn. Everyone is welcome—as an inclusive workplace, our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic whole selves to work. Be you.

• Great headline — Nice use of alliteration (the “Kuh” sound of  the two words: “Culture” and “Creativity”)
• Length = 58 words (Short and sweet!)
• 6.7th grade reading level (Superb)
• Positive words — they use a lot (best, give, fit, learn, improve, welcome, comfortable, authentic, whole)
• Nice opener — Opening with “We hire the best…” is solid
• “Everyone is welcome” is a simple and powerful phrase that is rarely used so they stand out again with just 3 words.

Oath Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = It takes all kinds

Diversity. Inclusion. They’re more than just words for us. They’re the hard-and-fast principles guiding how we build our teams, cultivate leaders and create a company that’s the right fit for every person inside of it. We have a global, multicultural following—we want to reflect that inside our walls.

• Headline — short and sweet
• Length — 55 words (succinct!)
• 5.7th grade reading level (Outstanding — the best (i.e. lowest) we found!)
• Words per sentence = 9.2 words (succinct)
• Conversational opening — Notice that they opened up with two one-word sentences (“Diversity. Inclusion. They’re more than just words…” The candidate feels like they’re in a conversation with Oath.
• Positive words (build, create, guiding, right)

Genentech Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = We’re On a Journey

We are inclusive. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We believe diversity drives innovation. So we’re building a culture where difference is valued. We take a holistic approach. We’re always growing our network of people, programs and tools all designed to help employees grow and manage their careers. We foster both a top-down and grassroots approach. This gives us the freedom to address the broadest set of initiatives.

• Length = 71 words (nice and short)
• 7.1st grade reading level (Excellent!)
• Words per sentence = 8.9 (punchy!)
• Positive words (celebrate, innovation, holistic, grow, freedom)

Google Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = Our accelerated approach to diversity and inclusion

Our accelerated approach to diversity and inclusion Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. When we say we want to build for everyone, we mean everyone. To do that well, we need a workforce that’s more representative of the users we serve. That’s why we’ve embraced a refreshed and accelerated approach to diversity and inclusion.

• Length = 63 words (Above average short)
• Tying their mission to diversity in the opening line is powerful
• Specificity! — They link off to their “diversity report”
• Short URL – diversity.google.com (this is better than being buried in a URL like google.com/about-us/diversity-inclusion
• 9.8th grade reading level (better than average)

Salesforce Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = We’re greater when we’re Equal

Sub-headline = Together, we can reach Equality for all.

Equality is a core value at Salesforce. We believe that businesses can be powerful platforms for social change and that our higher purpose is to drive Equality for all. Creating a culture of Equality isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing. Diverse companies are more innovative and better positioned to succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

We strive to create workplaces that reflect the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. There is more work to be done, but with the help of our entire Ohana — our employees, customers, partners, and community — we can achieve #EqualityForAll.

• Headline — Using the word “equal” instead of the usual “diversity” or “inclusiveness” makes Salesforce stand out. They use “Equality” as their theme throughout the diversity statement.
• 8.1st grade reading level (Excellent)
• Length = 112 words
• Progressive Close — They close with a #EqalityForAll hashtag which is a nice tech-savvy touch.

Comcast Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = Diversity & Inclusion: Our Foundation for Innovation

At Comcast NBCUniversal, diversity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

• Length = 46 words (Short and Sweet)
• 10.40 grade reading level
• Social Proof — Great use of their diversity awards right underneath their diversity statement.
• Utilizes company color scheme:

Hubspot Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = Bring Your Whole Self to Work

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work is the right thing to do.

• Length = 63 words (nice and short)
• 13.76 grade reading level
• Compelling headline! — With just 6 words (“Bring Your Whole Self to Work”), they reveal a whole bunch.

Stanley Black and Decker Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = Diversity & Inclusion

To be engaged, you must feel included and valued. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Where there is a deep sense of pride, passion and belonging that transcends any role, business unit, language or country and is unified in our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and social responsibility.

We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better results. To support an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their experiences and ideas, we’ve encouraged the creation of a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including groups for Women, Veterans, LGTBQ (Pride & Allies), African Ancestry, Developing Professionals and more.

• Specificity Rules! — They give examples of their Employee Resource Groups (in bold above). That shows that they are more than just talk.
• An abundance of words that have proven to attract women (strive, nurture, inclusive, shared, commitment, creative)
• Length = 120 words
• 14.33 grade reading level

Schneider Electric Diversity Statement Sample

Headline = Diversity is our heritage and our future. Be part of it.

At Schneider Electric, diversity is an integral part of our history, culture, and identity. Inclusion is the way we treat and perceive all differences. We want to create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are seen as real value for the company.

• Length = 41 words (Short and sweet!)
• 8.1st grade level readability (Excellent!)
• Getting words like history, culture and identity in the opening sentence is a strong start.
• Highlight their headline in company colors:

Adobe Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity Mission Statement Headline:  Adobe for All

Sub-Headline:  What we believe.

At Adobe, we believe that when people feel respected and included they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we’re investing to move our company and industry forward.

• Length = 43 words (Short and sweet!)
• 9.37 grade level readability (above average)
• Using inclusive words like respected and included in the opening sentence.
• Alliteration in the headline “Adobe for All” makes it memorable.

Aon Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity and Inclusion Statement Headline: Inclusion & Diversity at Aon

Sub-Headline: Our Inclusion Commitment

Whether related to accessibility, gender, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation, it’s important to find intentional ways to grow in our understanding and support of others. Aon’s commitment to fostering an inclusive culture is top on our agenda. We believe identifying ourselves as visible and voluntary allies is vital amidst the challenges we face, as it signifies an environment where all colleagues feels supported to bring their whole selves to work.

In support of this allyship, we encourage our leaders and colleagues to pledge ‘I’m in.’ This inclusion commitment gives each individual the opportunity to demonstrate their personal dedication to an inclusive culture, while visibly identifying their allyship to others. We also offer ongoing recommendations on how they may share, participate, discuss, act and continuously learn in support of their commitments.

• Length = 133 words
• 15.32 grade level readability
• Using the word “intentional” is meaningful. It makes people feel like they are focused on D&I, not just saying it.
• Focusing on allyship and an “I’m in” mentality.

Atos Diversity Statement Sample

Values of Diversity Headline: None

Here at Atos, we want all of our employees to feel valued, appreciated, and free to be who they are at work. Our employee lifecycle processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique.

• Strong power verbs in the opening sentence (“valued”, “appreciated”, “free to be who they are”)
• They mention “neurodiversity” (a rare term in diversity statements — it is meant to be inclusive of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other neurological differences)
• Length = 57 words (nice and short)
• 19.13 grade level readability

AT&T Diversity Statement Sample

Statement of Inclusion Headline:  AT&T Diversity & Inclusion

Sub-Headline:  AT&T is All of Us

At AT&T, we align diversity & inclusion to four pillars – our employees, the communities we serve, our customers and our suppliers.

• Length = 28 words (Short and sweet!)
• 8.47 grade level readability (Excellent!)

BC Housing Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity and Inclusion Statement Headline: Diversity & Inclusion

BC Housing’s Diversity & Inclusion Program is part of our People Strategy and reflects our vision of building an organization that attracts and leverages diversity in our staff, and strives for respect and inclusion throughout our workplace and in the communities we serve.

As a piece of our overarching People Strategy, the Diversity & Inclusion program has three main goals:

• Attracting & Onboarding – create a workforce broadly reflective of the larger community.
• Engaging & Developing – support employees in building the skills and capacity to work in an inclusive manner with one another and with the communities we serve.
• Building the Culture – build a welcoming workplace in which employees recognize that their unique characteristics, skills and experiences are respected, valued and celebrated.

We recognize that an inclusive and diverse work environment respects the unique characteristics, skills and experiences of all employees. Our Diversity & Inclusion programming includes respectful workplace workshops for everyone.

We offer Understanding LGBTQ Communities training and Working Respectfully with Indigenous Peoples sessions. Our Employee Diversity & Inclusion Committee hosts great events like National Indigenous Day, Canadian Multicultural Day, Pink Shirt Day, Lunar New Year, Black History Month and much more.

• Listing 3 goals of focus helps keep them focused and accountable.
• Naming specific communities and events allows people to connect with them and their commitment to diversity.
• Length = 186 words
• 15.12 grade level readability

Bright.md Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity and Inclusion Statement Headline: Diversity and Inclusion

Sub-Headline: A bright idea can come from anyone.

The more diversity we have in our team, the more unique perspectives and bright ideas we share. At Bright.md we are driven by the value of excellence. In healthcare, excellence means everyone deserves the best care, regardless of their race, color, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical abilities, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or criminal history. We embrace employees and candidates from these underrepresented groups to help make this vision a reality.

Read Bright.md’s statement about  Black Lives Matter .

• Length = 82 words (above average).
• 10.58 grade level readability
• 100% gender neutral.
• Using “excellence” as a comparison to being diverse in many ways.

Curology Diversity Statement Sample

Commitment to Diversity Statement Headline: Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Initiatives at Curology

Sub-Headline: We at Curology believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, invincible, and equipped to thrive.

This environment of psychological safety should begin at home, within the walls of our offices, and should extend to our entire community of Curology members. Our commitment to joining the #BlackLivesMatter movement begins by looking inward at our hiring practices, workplace policies, approach to marketing, and culture.

• Length = 62 words (above average short).
• 15.17 grade level readability
• Using “safety” and “at home” in the first sentence connects to personal needs.

Hilton Diversity Statement Sample

Company Diversity Statement Headline:  Diversity & Inclusion at Hilton

Sub-Headline:  We are diverse by nature and inclusive by choice

Diversity is at the core of our Vision, Mission, and Values. We are committed to an inclusive workforce that fully represents many different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints. Our global brands provide meeting places for people from all walks of life to connect, creating a welcoming environment for all. 

• Length = 57 words (Short and sweet!)
• 9.36 grade level readability (above average)
• Focusing on diverse: cultures, backgrounds, & viewpoints.

Indeed Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity and Inclusion Statement Headline:  Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Sub-Headline:  Our commitment to transparency and accountability

Indeed’s mission is to help people get jobs. To achieve this, we put jobseekers and companies who use Indeed at the heart of everything we do. In 2019, we declared the kind of culture we want to have and the values that are important to us. These values are: put jobseekers first, pay for performance, innovation, data-driven, and inclusion & belonging – which translates to creating an environment where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and make it easy for others to do the same.

• Length = 86 words (Longer but powerful)
• 10.52 grade level readability
• First sentence starts with wanting to help.
• Focusing on the job seekers is the main theme.

Netflix Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity Inclusion Statement Headline: Inclusion on-screen starts with inclusion in the office

Sub-Headline: Sowing the Seeds: Inclusion Takes Root at Netflix

Netflix’s greatest impact is in storytelling. Stories like  13th, Disclosure, Selena, Da 5 Bloods, Special and The Half of It  broaden representation, empathy and understanding. We create and connect these stories to people all around the globe – removing the barriers of language, device, ability or connectivity. Better representation on-screen starts with representation in the office. Our work has to be internal first, so it can impact what we do externally. We believe we’ll do that better if our employees come from different backgrounds, and if we create an environment of inclusion and belonging for them.

• Length = 95 words (Longer but powerful)
• 9.69 grade level readability (above average)
• Connecting the on-screen with their internal culture and diversity.

Simons Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity Mission Statement Headline: THE SIMONS FOUNDATION’S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.

• Strong power nouns in the opening sentence (ideas, discoveries) tied to a “diverse mix of minds”
• They mention “neurodiversity”, the term inclusive of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other neurological differences)
• Length = 71 words
• 23.35 grade level readability

Slack Diversity Statement Sample

Commitment to Diversity Headline:  Diversity at Slack

Sub-Headline:  Slack for Good has a mission to increase the number of historically underrepresented people in the technology industry.

Diversity, engagement and belonging remain at the center of Slack’s values. We are committed to putting resources and attention toward improving the engagement, retention and promotion of the incredible talent we have—whether everyone is sharing an office or working together remotely, as we are now. The future of work must be inclusive, and during this unprecedented time when our customers are facing more challenges than ever before, our commitment to that vision is critical to our success and to theirs.

• “Slack for Good” mission is creative.
• Giving examples of how they support and promote and inclusive work environment.
• Length = 80 words
• 15.50 grade level readability

United Way Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity Inclusion Statement Headline: United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

Sub-Headline: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement of Principle

We take the broadest possible view of diversity.

We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.

We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems.

We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.

We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.

Join us in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion for every person in every community.

• Conversational — Notice how United Way (a non-profit) has a DEI statement that uses “We” rather than just saying “United Way”. This makes it more conversational.
• One-Liner Bullets (instead of long text) — Most diversity statements are in sentence/paragraph form (which is ok). But United opts for one-liner bullets (even though there’s no bullet) which can be more readable for many. Again, it reads a bit more like a conversation.
• Length = 116 words
• 13.46 grade level readability

Women in Development (WID) Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity and Inclusion Statement Headline: Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity

“WID is committed to maintaining a culture of diversity and equity in fundraising and related professions. As a membership body, our strength is in our promise to be inclusive, with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift historically marginalized identities and people within our field.”

• Length = 44 words (Short and sweet!)
• 16.32 grade level readability
• About Us — WID lists their DEI Statement as part of their “Core Values” section on their About Us page. I believe that’s a strong alternative to listing it on a “Diversity” page as most companies do.
• Making it a “Value” — Calling DEI a “value” is another differentiator. WID President Yolanda Johnson gives this advice to organizations re: DEI statements: “Making DEI a core value helps to ensure that change will come from within the organization and will help protect these efforts from claims that it is not a priority.” (source:  How We Are Creating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion From the Inside Out

Workday Diversity Statement Sample

Diversity and Inclusion Statement Headline:  At Workday, we VIBE™.

Sub-Headline:  Value inclusion, belonging, and equity for all.

Our approach to diversity is simple—it’s about embracing everyone. From building a culture where all employees can bring their best selves to work to deploying diversity initiatives that support everyone, we’re doing what it takes to build an inclusive world for all.

• Length = 49 words (Short and sweet!)
• 11.54 grade level readability
• Using words like “embracing” and “building” show their support for inclusion and diversity.

Options Community Services Statement of Diversity

Statement of Diversity:

Options Community Services (OCS) provides services in one of the most diverse cities in the world. The diversity of our community takes many forms. It includes differences related to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, gender expression and presentation, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability and socioeconomic status. We see diversity as an asset to our organization and communities and strive to be reflective of the communities that we serve. We commit ourselves to promoting better understanding and appreciation of our human diversity; a commitment which is best realized through our individual and collective effort.

OCS is professionally and personally committed to celebrating the rich diversity of people who receive, live and work in our services and resources. We believe that it is critical that our services empower freedom of thought and opinion in an environment of mutual respect. All of our programs, activities, and interactions are enriched by accepting each other as we are and by celebrating our uniqueness as well as our commonality. We are guided by the principle that celebrating diversity enriches and empowers the lives of all people.

• Length = 181 words (longer but meaningful)
• 12.4 grade level readability
• Using words like “asset,” “commitment,” and “celebrate” show their support for inclusion and diversity.

Diversity Statements: PDFs

If you’re looking for a diversity statement sample PDF, here are 3 examples of companies using PDFs to get their message across about diversity:

• AT&T’s “Everyone is Part of the Story” Diversity Report  includes a diversity statement sample
• Workday’s “Making an Impact with Workday’s” highlights its diversity statement
• Hilton’s External Diversity Brochure  features its diversity statement

I hope you found some inspiration above to help you have the best diversity statement in your market.

And, here are some ideas for a “ diversity personal statement” if you need one for a master’s degree or resume:

• Personal Statement on Diversity and Inclusion Ideas (source: UNC Med School)
• Personal Diversity Statement Ideas (source: UGA.edu)

Diversity Statements: Bonus Tips

If you like this article, you might enjoy some of Ongig’s other blogs with tips on how to create inclusion statements , diversity commitments , and diversity goals . Here’s a list to check out:

• 10 Examples of Awesome Inclusion Statements
• 7 Examples of a Great Commitment to Diversity Statement
• 25+ Examples of Awesome Diversity Goals

Diversity Statements: Essay Samples

“For a long time, the experiences and characteristics that set me apart were the things I felt compelled to suppress. As I learned to embrace my upbringing, my sexuality, and my role as a father, I saw the value of each. Now, I appreciate the invaluable perspective on life that being a single, African, gay father, raised by a single mother, has given me. I was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States when I was six years old. Because my mother did not receive higher education, I relied on the guidance of mentors to navigate academia. Experiencing the benefits of mentorship encouraged me to pay it forward. I took an active role in a nonprofit organization called Natural Productions. Here, I mentored children living in underserved communities that have experienced abuse and violence at home – as I have. I provided the children mentorship, encouragement, homework assistance, and dance instruction to help them rise above the poverty and hardship they were born into. My commitment to mentorship continues in law school. I currently serve as a resource and mentor to incoming minority students to help them succeed through the rigors of law school. When I was nineteen I had a baby with my childhood sweetheart. Although some view having a child at that age as a barrier to success, I envisioned it as motivation. The task of caring for another person was daunting, and I was scared of making a mistake. Despite my age, I adapted and the desire to provide for my daughter motivated me to attend college, start a career in financial services, and later attend law school. The moment I laid eyes on my daughter, I wanted her to embrace every aspect of who she would become. The best way to teach her was by example. Coming to terms with being gay was a tumultuous and liberating experience. I encountered reactions from my family and friends that were unsupportive and agonizing. Yet, I quickly learned to develop a thick skin, compartmentalize my feelings, and focus on being a father. I provide intellectual diversity and a commitment to community. During the 2008 financial crisis, I almost became homeless, but used my expertise to avoid foreclosure. Compelled to assist my community, I used my mortgage experience to provide guidance on the loan modification process with the hope that homeowners in default would save their homes. During my externship last summer, I learned about the significant number of minorities affected by the crisis. Consequently, I would like to help close the disproportionate wealth gap plaguing our society by spearheading the firm’s efforts of collaborating with local organizations to empower minorities by providing financial literacy programs. Diversity extends far beyond visible differences. To me, it represents a sense of belonging to a community and, with that, a fresh point of view. I will utilize my unique experiences as tools for creative problem solving with a diverse perspective that benefits both the client and your firm.” source: American University Washington College of Law — Diversity Statement Resource Guide

• 10.14 grade level readability (above average, especially for a law school essay!)
• Using personal life stories helps the reader connect to the writer and their story about the pursuit of diversity in law firms.
• Tying goals to real problems (e.g., the wealth gap) and giving solutions makes this a strong essay.

Additional examples of diversity statements

Headline — Empowered to do your best work

At Spotify, we welcome you with an inclusion mindset, one that prioritizes growth through listening and learning. No matter where you come from, or what’s playing in your headphones, we want to create a place where you belong.

Length = 38 words (Short and Sweet)

10 grade reading level 

Compelling headlines = Captures attention immediately with only five words

Headline — Let’s build a more inclusive workplace and world.

At Salesforce, our commitment to driving equality and greater business value does not waver. We’re working with employees, partners, Trailblazers, and customers to move closer to equality for all.

Length = 29 words (Short and Sweet)

12 grade reading level 

Compelling headlines = Encouraging and concise

International Rescue Committee 

Headline — Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At the IRC, our diverse clients, partners and staff have the power, voice and agency to shape programs and operations. Within the IRC, we actively work to end all forms of systemic discrimination and foster an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, heard, valued and supported. Our programs seek to reduce disparities in outcomes which are driven by systemic inequality.

Length = 61 words 

14 grade reading level 

Compelling headlines = Concise and straight to the point

Best Practices for Writing Diversity Statements

When it comes to crafting a diversity statement that truly stands out, there are some tried-and-true best practices to keep in mind. Let’s dive into what makes an effective diversity statement and how you can make yours shine.

What is the purpose of your diversity statement?

First things first, it’s essential to understand the purpose of your diversity statement. So, it’s not just another box to check off in the application process. Think ot it as a chance to show your commitment to creating an inclusive environment where people from all walks of life feel welcome and valued.

Reflect on your own experiences

Start by reflecting on your own experiences and understanding of diversity. Think about the different ways diversity has shaped your life and your perspective. Maybe you’ve volunteered with diverse communities, or perhaps you’ve worked in environments with people from diverse backgrounds. So, whatever your experiences, use them to illustrate your understanding of the barriers that marginalized groups face and your commitment to breaking them down.

But remember, it’s not just about listing off your past efforts—it’s about showing how those experiences have shaped your future plans. Talk about specific ways you plan to contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in your new role. Whether it’s through inclusive teaching practices, mentoring students of color, or advocating for underrepresented groups, be clear about your intentions and how you plan to make a difference.

Think about your organization

When writing your diversity statement, be sure to tailor it to the specific institution or organization you’re applying to. Do some research to understand the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and how your values align with theirs. Mentioning specific initiatives or programs they have in place can demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely invested in their mission.

Be authentic

And finally, don’t be afraid to be authentic and vulnerable in your diversity statement. Share personal anecdotes or insights that highlight your commitment to diversity and your understanding of its importance. Remember, diversity isn’t just about demographic diversity—it’s about embracing a broad range of ideas, perspectives, and social identities.

By following these best practices, you can write a diversity statement that not only impresses search committees but also reflects your genuine commitment to creating a more inclusive world. After all, diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a fundamental value that should guide everything we do.

Crafting an Authentic Diversity Statement

Creating a diversity statement that truly reflects your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is more than just putting pen to paper. Consider capturing the heart and soul of what you stand for. Let’s look at some tips on how to craft an authentic diversity statement that speaks volumes.

Start by identifying your organization’s core values. What do you believe in? What drives you to create a more inclusive environment? So, by pinpointing these values, you lay the foundation for your diversity statement and ensure that it rings true to who you are as an organization.

But don’t stop there—make sure to involve diverse voices in the drafting process. So, this means seeking input from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. After all, diversity isn’t just about what you say—it’s about who you include in the conversation.

Then, as you’re drafting your diversity statement, keep a keen eye on alignment. Make sure that your words aren’t just empty promises but are backed up by actions and initiatives. Your statement should reflect the tangible steps you’re taking to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization.

Also, share your own experiences and insights that highlight your understanding of diversity and your commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. Whether it’s personal anecdotes or examples of past efforts, be genuine and transparent about your journey.

Lastly, don’t forget to review and refine your diversity statement regularly. As your organization evolves and grows, so too should your commitment to diversity and inclusion. So, keep your statement up to date and reflective of the progress you’re making on your diversity journey.

The Impact of Diversity Statements on Recruitment and Retention

Research shows that job seekers are increasingly looking for companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion. So, a strong diversity statement can be a beacon of hope for those seeking a workplace where their unique backgrounds and perspectives are celebrated, not just tolerated.

However, it’s not enough to simply attract diverse talent. You must also be able to keep them around. When employees feel like they belong and are valued for who they are, they’re more likely to stick around for the long haul. So, that means lower turnover rates, higher morale, and a stronger, more cohesive team.

In addition, let’s not forget about the impact on your employer brand. A strong diversity statement sends a powerful message to the world about what you stand for as an organization. It shows that you’re actively working to create a better, more equitable workplace for everyone.

So, the next time you’re updating your job ads or revamping your company’s website, don’t forget to include a strong diversity statement front and center. It could be the difference between attracting top talent and watching them slip through your fingers. After all, diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a key ingredient in building a better, brighter future for us all.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Diversity Statements

Now that we’ve talked about the importance of diversity statements, let’s dive into how we can tell if they’re really making a difference.

You need to have a plan in place to measure their impact and adjust as needed. 

Diversity in hiring

One way to gauge the effectiveness of diversity statements is by looking at diversity in hiring. Are you attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds? Are they making it through the hiring process and joining your team? Therefore, tracking metrics like these can give you a good sense of whether your diversity statement is resonating with job seekers.

But it’s not just about who you’re hiring—it’s also about who’s sticking around. Employee satisfaction surveys can help you understand how your team members feel about the workplace culture and whether they feel included and valued. So, a diverse workforce is only effective if everyone feels like they belong.

Retention rates

Retention rates are another important metric to consider. Are employees from diverse backgrounds staying with the company long-term, or are they leaving at higher rates than their counterparts? So, if you notice a discrepancy, it could be a sign that there are barriers to advancement or that the workplace culture isn’t as inclusive as it should be.

Diverse leadership

And let’s not forget about representation in leadership roles. Are people from diverse backgrounds being given opportunities to climb the ladder and take on leadership positions? If not, it could be a sign that there are systemic barriers holding them back.

Ultimately, measuring the effectiveness of diversity statements is all about ongoing assessment and adaptation. Therefore, it’s not enough to just set it and forget it. You also need to regularly check in to make sure your diversity efforts are aligning with your organizational goals and values.

So, by tracking metrics like diversity in hiring, employee satisfaction, retention rates, and representation in leadership roles, you can get a better sense of whether your diversity statement is having the impact you hoped for. And if not, don’t be afraid to make adjustments and try new approaches. Creating a truly inclusive workplace is an ongoing journey, not a destination.

Why I wrote this article?

Our focus at Ongig is to boost your quality candidate applications including diversity.  Ongig’s Text Analyzer helps analyze the text of any job-related pages. Please click the demo request button on this page if you think we can help you.

March 24, 2024 by Rob Kelly in Diversity and Inclusion

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• How to Write a Diversity Essay | Tips & Examples

How to Write a Diversity Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on November 1, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Table of contents

What is a diversity essay, identify how you will enrich the campus community, share stories about your lived experience, explain how your background or identity has affected your life, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Diversity essays ask students to highlight an important aspect of their identity, background, culture, experience, viewpoints, beliefs, skills, passions, goals, etc.

Diversity essays can come in many forms. Some scholarships are offered specifically for students who come from an underrepresented background or identity in higher education. At highly competitive schools, supplemental diversity essays require students to address how they will enhance the student body with a unique perspective, identity, or background.

In the Common Application and applications for several other colleges, some main essay prompts ask about how your background, identity, or experience has affected you.

Why schools want a diversity essay

Many universities believe a student body representing different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community.

Through the diversity essay, admissions officers want students to articulate the following:

• What makes them different from other applicants
• Stories related to their background, identity, or experience
• How their unique lived experience has affected their outlook, activities, and goals

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Think about what aspects of your identity or background make you unique, and choose one that has significantly impacted your life.

For some students, it may be easy to identify what sets them apart from their peers. But if you’re having trouble identifying what makes you different from other applicants, consider your life from an outsider’s perspective. Don’t presume your lived experiences are normal or boring just because you’re used to them.

Some examples of identities or experiences that you might write about include the following:

• Race/ethnicity
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Nationality
• Socioeconomic status
• Immigration background
• Religion/belief system
• Place of residence
• Family circumstances
• Extracurricular activities related to diversity

Include vulnerable, authentic stories about your lived experiences. Maintain focus on your experience rather than going into too much detail comparing yourself to others or describing their experiences.

Keep the focus on you

Tell a story about how your background, identity, or experience has impacted you. While you can briefly mention another person’s experience to provide context, be sure to keep the essay focused on you. Admissions officers are mostly interested in learning about your lived experience, not anyone else’s.

When I was a baby, my grandmother took me in, even though that meant postponing her retirement and continuing to work full-time at the local hairdresser. Even working every shift she could, she never missed a single school play or soccer game.

She and I had a really special bond, even creating our own special language to leave each other secret notes and messages. She always pushed me to succeed in school, and celebrated every academic achievement like it was worthy of a Nobel Prize. Every month, any leftover tip money she received at work went to a special 509 savings plan for my college education.

When I was in the 10th grade, my grandmother was diagnosed with ALS. We didn’t have health insurance, and what began with quitting soccer eventually led to dropping out of school as her condition worsened. In between her doctor’s appointments, keeping the house tidy, and keeping her comfortable, I took advantage of those few free moments to study for the GED.

In school pictures at Raleigh Elementary School, you could immediately spot me as “that Asian girl.” At lunch, I used to bring leftover fun see noodles, but after my classmates remarked how they smelled disgusting, I begged my mom to make a “regular” lunch of sliced bread, mayonnaise, and deli meat.

Although born and raised in North Carolina, I felt a cultural obligation to learn my “mother tongue” and reconnect with my “homeland.” After two years of all-day Saturday Chinese school, I finally visited Beijing for the first time, expecting I would finally belong. While my face initially assured locals of my Chinese identity, the moment I spoke, my cover was blown. My Chinese was littered with tonal errors, and I was instantly labeled as an “ABC,” American-born Chinese.

I felt culturally homeless.

Speak from your own experience

Highlight your actions, difficulties, and feelings rather than comparing yourself to others. While it may be tempting to write about how you have been more or less fortunate than those around you, keep the focus on you and your unique experiences, as shown below.

I began to despair when the FAFSA website once again filled with red error messages.

I had been at the local library for hours and hadn’t even been able to finish the form, much less the other to-do items for my application.

I am the first person in my family to even consider going to college. My parents work two jobs each, but even then, it’s sometimes very hard to make ends meet. Rather than playing soccer or competing in speech and debate, I help my family by taking care of my younger siblings after school and on the weekends.

“We only speak one language here. Speak proper English!” roared a store owner when I had attempted to buy bread and accidentally used the wrong preposition.

In middle school, I had relentlessly studied English grammar textbooks and received the highest marks.

Leaving Seoul was hard, but living in West Orange, New Jersey was much harder一especially navigating everyday communication with Americans.

After sharing relevant personal stories, make sure to provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your perspective, activities, and goals. You should also explain how your background led you to apply to this university and why you’re a good fit.

Include your outlook, actions, and goals

Conclude your essay with an insight about how your background or identity has affected your outlook, actions, and goals. You should include specific actions and activities that you have done as a result of your insight.

One night, before the midnight premiere of Avengers: Endgame , I stopped by my best friend Maria’s house. Her mother prepared tamales, churros, and Mexican hot chocolate, packing them all neatly in an Igloo lunch box. As we sat in the line snaking around the AMC theater, I thought back to when Maria and I took salsa classes together and when we belted out Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” at karaoke. In that moment, as I munched on a chicken tamale, I realized how much I admired the beauty, complexity, and joy in Maria’s culture but had suppressed and devalued my own.

The following semester, I joined Model UN. Since then, I have learned how to proudly represent other countries and have gained cultural perspectives other than my own. I now understand that all cultures, including my own, are equal. I still struggle with small triggers, like when I go through airport security and feel a suspicious glance toward me, or when I feel self-conscious for bringing kabsa to school lunch. But in the future, I hope to study and work in international relations to continue learning about other cultures and impart a positive impression of Saudi culture to the world.

The smell of the early morning dew and the welcoming whinnies of my family’s horses are some of my most treasured childhood memories. To this day, our farm remains so rural that we do not have broadband access, and we’re too far away from the closest town for the postal service to reach us.

Going to school regularly was always a struggle: between the unceasing demands of the farm and our lack of connectivity, it was hard to keep up with my studies. Despite being a voracious reader, avid amateur chemist, and active participant in the classroom, emergencies and unforeseen events at the farm meant that I had a lot of unexcused absences.

Although it had challenges, my upbringing taught me resilience, the value of hard work, and the importance of family. Staying up all night to watch a foal being born, successfully saving the animals from a minor fire, and finding ways to soothe a nervous mare afraid of thunder have led to an unbreakable family bond.

Our farm is my family’s birthright and our livelihood, and I am eager to learn how to ensure the farm’s financial and technological success for future generations. In college, I am looking forward to joining a chapter of Future Farmers of America and studying agricultural business to carry my family’s legacy forward.

Tailor your answer to the university

After explaining how your identity or background will enrich the university’s existing student body, you can mention the university organizations, groups, or courses in which you’re interested.

Maybe a larger public school setting will allow you to broaden your community, or a small liberal arts college has a specialized program that will give you space to discover your voice and identity. Perhaps this particular university has an active affinity group you’d like to join.

Demonstrating how a university’s specific programs or clubs are relevant to you can show that you’ve done your research and would be a great addition to the university.

At the University of Michigan Engineering, I want to study engineering not only to emulate my mother’s achievements and strength, but also to forge my own path as an engineer with disabilities. I appreciate the University of Michigan’s long-standing dedication to supporting students with disabilities in ways ranging from accessible housing to assistive technology. At the University of Michigan Engineering, I want to receive a top-notch education and use it to inspire others to strive for their best, regardless of their circumstances.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

In addition to your main college essay , some schools and scholarships may ask for a supplementary essay focused on an aspect of your identity or background. This is sometimes called a diversity essay .

Many universities believe a student body composed of different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community, which is why they assign a diversity essay .

To write an effective diversity essay , include vulnerable, authentic stories about your unique identity, background, or perspective. Provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your outlook, activities, and goals. If relevant, you should also mention how your background has led you to apply for this university and why you’re a good fit.

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How to Write the Diversity Essay – With Examples

May 1, 2024

The diversity essay has newfound significance in college application packages following the 2023 SCOTUS ruling against race-conscious admissions. Affirmative action began as an attempt to redress unequal access to economic and social mobility associated with higher education. But before the 2023 ruling, colleges frequently defended the policy based on their “compelling interest” in fostering diverse campuses. The reasoning goes that there are certain educational benefits that come from heterogeneous learning environments. Now, the diversity essay has become key for admissions officials in achieving their compelling interest in campus diversity. Thus, unlocking how to write a diversity essay enhances an applicant’s ability to describe their fit with a campus environment. This article describes the genre and provides diversity essay examples to help any applicant express how they conceptualize and contribute to diversity.

How to Write a Diversity Essay – Defining the Genre

Diversity essays in many ways resemble the personal statement genre. Like personal statements, they help readers get to know applicants beyond their academic and extracurricular achievements. What makes an applicant unique? Precisely what motivates or inspires them? What is their demeanor like and how do they interact with others? All these questions are useful ways of thinking about the purpose and value of the diversity essay.

It’s important to realize that the essay does not need to focus on aspects like race, religion, or sexuality. Some applicants may choose to write about their relationship to these or other protected identity categories. But applicants shouldn’t feel obligated to ‘come out’ in a diversity essay. Conversely, they should not be anxious if they feel their background doesn’t qualify them as ‘diverse.’

Instead, the diversity essay helps demonstrate broader thinking about what makes applicants unique that admissions officials can’t glean elsewhere. Usually, it also directly or indirectly indicates how an applicant will enhance the campus community they hope to join. Diversity essays can explicitly connect past experiences with future plans. Or they can offer a more general sense of how one’s background will influence their actions in college.

Thus, the diversity essay conveys both aspects that make an applicant unique and arguments for how those aspects will contribute on campus. The somewhat daunting genre is, in fact, a great opportunity for applicants to articulate how their background, identity, or formative experiences will shape their academic, intellectual, social, and professional trajectories.

Diversity College Essay Examples of Prompts – Sharing a Story

All diversity essays ask applicants to share what makes them unique and convey how that equips them for university life. However, colleges will typically ask applicants to approach this broad topic from a variety of different angles. Since it’s likely applicants will encounter some version of the genre in either required or supplemental essay assignments, it’s a good idea to have a template diversity essay ready to adapt to each specific prompt.

One of the most standard prompts is the “share a story” prompt. For example, here’s the diversity-related Common App prompt:

“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

This prompt is deliberately broad, inviting applicants to articulate their distinctive qualities in myriad ways. What is unsaid, but likely expected, is some statement about how the story evidences the ability to enhance campus diversity.

Diversity College Essay Examples of Prompts – Describing Contribution

Another common prompt explicitly asks students to reflect on diversity while centering what they will contribute in college. A good example of this prompt comes from the University of Miami’s supplemental essay:

Located within one of the most dynamic cities in the world, the University of Miami is a distinctive community with a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. The University of Miami is a values-based and purpose-driven postsecondary institution that embraces diversity and inclusivity in all its forms and strives to create a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

Please describe how your unique experiences, challenges overcome, or skills acquired would contribute to our distinctive University community. (250 words)

In essays responding to these kinds of prompts, its smart to more deliberately tailor your essay to what you know about the institution and its values around diversity. You’ll need a substantial part of the essay to address not only your “story” but your anticipated institutional contribution.

Diversity College Essay Examples of Prompts – Navigating Difference

The last type of diversity essay prompt worth mentioning asks applicants to explain how they experience and navigate difference. It could be a prompt about dealing with “diverse perspectives.” Or it could ask the applicant to tell a story involving someone different than them. Regardless of the framing, these types of prompts ask you to unfold a theory of diversity stemming from social encounters. Applicants might still think of how they can use the essay to frame what makes them unique. However, here colleges are also hoping for insight into how applicants will deal with the immense diversity of college life beyond their unique experiences. In these cases, it’s especially important to use a story kernel to draw attention to fundamental beliefs and values around diversity.

  How to Write a Diversity Essay – Tips for Writing

Before we get to the diversity college essay examples, some general tips for writing the diversity essay:

• Be authentic: This is not the place to embellish, exaggerate, or overstate your experiences. Writing with humility and awareness of your own limitations can only help you with the diversity essay. So don’t write about who you think the admissions committee wants to see – write about yourself.
• Find dynamic intersections: One effective brainstorming strategy is to think of two or more aspects of your background, identity, and interests you might combine. For example, in one of the examples below, the writer talks about their speech impediment alongside their passion for poetry. By thinking of aspects of your experience to combine, you’ll likely generate more original material than focusing on just one.
• Include a thesis: Diversity essays follow more general conventions of personal statement writing. That means you should tell a story about yourself, but also make it double as an argumentative piece of writing. Including a thesis in the first paragraph can clearly signal the argumentative hook of the essay for your reader.
• Include your definition of diversity: Early in the essay you should define what diversity means to you. It’s important that this definition is as original as possible, preferably connecting to the story you are narrating. To avoid cliché, you might write out a bunch of definitions of diversity. Then, review them and get rid of any that seem like something you’d see in a dictionary or an inspirational poster. Get those clichéd definitions out of your system early, so you can wow your audience with your own carefully considered definition.

How to Write a Diversity Essay – Tips for Writing (Cont.)

• Zoom out to diversity more broadly: This tip is especially important you are not writing about protected minority identities like race, religion, and sexuality. Again, it’s fine to not focus on these aspects of diversity. But you’ll want to have some space in the essay where you connect your very specific understanding of diversity to a larger system of values that can include those identities.

Revision is another, evergreen tip for writing good diversity essays. You should also remember that you are writing in a personal and narrative-based genre. So, try to be as creative as possible! If you find enjoyment in writing it, chances are better your audience will find entertainment value in reading it.

How to Write a Diversity Essay – Diversity Essay Examples

The first example addresses the “share a story” prompt. It is written in the voice of Karim Amir, the main character of Hanif Kureishi’s novel The Buddha of Suburbia .

As a child of the suburbs, I have frequently navigated the labyrinthine alleys of identity. Born to an English mother and an Indian father, I inherited a rich blend of traditions, customs, and perspectives. From an early age, I found myself straddling two worlds, trying to reconcile the conflicting expectations of my dual heritage. Yet, it was only through the lens of acting that I began to understand the true fluidity of identity.

• A fairly typical table setting first paragraph, foregrounding themes of identity and performance
• Includes a “thesis” in the final sentence suggesting the essay’s narrative and argumentative arc

Diversity, to me, is more than just a buzzword describing a melting pot of ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Instead, it evokes the unfathomable heterogeneity of human experience that I aim to help capture through performance. On the stage, I have often been slotted into Asian and other ethnic minority roles. I’ve had to deal with discriminatory directors who complain I am not Indian enough. Sometimes, it has even been tempting to play into established stereotypes attached to the parts I am playing. However, acting has ultimately helped me to see that the social types we imagine when we think of the word ‘diversity’ are ultimately fantastical constructions. Prescribed identities may help us to feel a sense of belonging, but they also distort what makes us radically unique.

• Includes an original definition of diversity, which the writer compellingly contrasts with clichéd definitions
• Good narrative dynamism, stressing how the writer has experienced growth over time

Diversity Essay Examples Continued – Example One

The main challenge for an actor is to dig beneath the “type” of character to find the real human being underneath. Rising to this challenge entails discarding with lazy stereotypes and scaling what can seem to be insurmountable differences. Bringing human drama to life, making it believable, requires us to realize a more fundamental meaning of diversity. It means locating each character at their own unique intersection of identity. My story, like all the stories I aspire to tell as an actor, can inspire others to search for and celebrate their specificity. 

• Focuses in on the kernel of wisdom acquired over the course of the narrative
• Indirectly suggests what the applicant can contribute to the admitted class

Acting has ultimately underlined an important takeaway of my dual heritage: all identities are, in a sense, performed. This doesn’t mean that heritage is not important, or that identities are not significant rallying points for community. Instead, it means recognizing that identity isn’t a prison, but a stage.

• Draws the reader back to where the essay began, locating them at the intersection of two aspects of writer’s background
• Sharply and deftly weaves a course between saying identities are fictions and saying that identities matter (rather than potentially alienating reader by picking one over the other)

Diversity Essay Examples Continued – Example Two

The second example addresses a prompt about what the applicant can contribute to a diverse campus. It is written from the perspective of Jason Taylor, David Mitchell’s protagonist in Black Swan Green .

Growing up with a stutter, each word was a hesitant step, every sentence a delicate balance between perseverance and frustration. I came to think of the written word as a sanctuary away from the staccato rhythm of my speech. In crafting melodically flowing poems, I discovered a language unfettered by the constraints of my impediment. However, diving deeper into poetry eventually made me realize how my stammer had a humanistic rhythm all its own.

• Situates us at the intersection of two themes – a speech impediment and poetry – and uses the thesis to gesture to their synthesis
• Nicely matches form and content. The writer uses this opportunity to demonstrate their facility with literary language.

Immersing myself in the genius of Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, and Maya Angelou, I learned to embrace the beauty of diversity in language, rhythm, and life itself. Angelou wrote that “Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.” For me, this quote illuminates how diversity is not simply a static expression of discrete differences. Instead, diversity teaches us the beauty of a multitude of rhythms we can learn from and incorporate in a mutual dance. If “everything in the universe has a rhythm,” then it’s also possible that anything can be poetry. Even my stuttering speech can dance.

• Provides a unique definition of diversity
• Conveys growth over time
• Connects kernel of wisdom back to the essay’s narrative starting point

As I embark on this new chapter of my life, I bring with me the lessons learned from the interplay of rhythm and verse. I bring a perspective rooted in empathy, an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, and a belief in language as the ultimate tool of transformative social connection. I am prepared to enter your university community, adding a unique voice that refuses to be silent. 

• Directly addresses how background and experiences will contribute to campus life
• Conveys contributions in an analytic mode (second sentence) and more literary and personal mode (third sentence)

Additional Resources 

Diversity essays can seem intimidating because of the political baggage we bring to the word ‘diversity.’ But applicants should feel liberated by the opportunity to describe what makes them unique. It doesn’t matter if applicants choose to write about aspects of identity, life experiences, or personal challenges. What matters is telling a compelling story of personal growth. Also significant is relating that story to an original theory of the function and value of diversity in society. At the end of the day, committees want to know their applicants deeper and get a holistic sense of how they will improve the educational lives of those around them.

Additional Reading and Resources

• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples 
• How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay + Example
• Common App Essay Prompts
• Why This College Essay – Tips for Success
• How to Write a Body Paragraph for a College Essay
• UC Essay Examples 
• College Essay

Tyler Talbott

Tyler holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Missouri and two Master of Arts degrees in English, one from the University of Maryland and another from Northwestern University. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in English at Northwestern University, where he also works as a graduate writing fellow.

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• Diversity & Inclusion
• 13 Great Diversity and Inclusion...

13 Great Diversity and Inclusion Statement Examples To Inspire You in 2024

A recent survey found that 60% of HR professionals said their company focused on more than just the compliance aspects of DEI, compared to 71% in a previous survey. This decline is concerning for workplace DEI, especially given the proven business benefits of investing in DEI initiatives.

What is a diversity and inclusion statement? 

What should a good diversity and inclusion statement include.

• Start with the actual statement: A diversity and inclusion statement should be short and to the point. As such, you want your organization’s stance on DEIB to be the first thing visitors to your page see.
• Add data: If you have data available on your company’s current diversity and inclusion progress, include it within your statement. This proves your DEI position and demonstrates that you walk the proverbial talk. Elements to consider in that regard can be the percentage of women or people of color holding leadership positions in your organization or info about the gender pay gap (if there is one). 
• Be transparent: Nothing is wrong with admitting that your organization isn’t quite there yet regarding its DEIB goals or that you should have started working on them a bit sooner, as long as this doesn’t become a standard company line with little intention of improving or achieving these goals. 
• Specify your commitments: Define your commitments, whether in brief or in detail. In the DEI statement examples included in this article, some companies published their main DEIB commitments with in-depth descriptions of each initiative, while others opted for more concise descriptions.
• Add resources that enrich your DEI statement: Some (large organizations) have resources they use to help support their DEI work that they include on their statement page. Consider including documents and other material on representation and pay, workforce diversity reports, racial equity strategies, employee resource groups , etc. Additionally, including candidate or employee testimonials can further enrich the statement. 
• Ensure your website is accessible: Inclusivity should extend to the physical workplace and your owned media. Ensure that your webpage has been developed to be accessible to people with different needs, preferences, and disabilities and that it meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines .

What we like about this statement

3. BMW Group

DEI statement top tip Make your DEI statement evocative by including emotive words that help bring your text to life.

4. Girls Who Code

What we like about this page

6. John Lewis

• They give visitors the option to ‘skip the definitions’ and click on what the company is doing pretty much at the top of the page.
• They know that they have blind spots and will, therefore, miss things. They simply ask page visitors to tell them what they believe is missing so they can add these things.
• The company aims to make legal contracts frictionless, collaborative, and accessible. As a nice touch, they have created their entire website, including their DEI page, in the style of a typical contract.

DEI statement top tip A DEI statement is a serious and public commitment, but it doesn’t have to be dry and unimaginative. Personalize your DEI statement to your brand using language or a layout that illustrates your company’s work.

8. LEGO Group

10. Ubisoft

11. Virgin Atlantic

12. Workday

How to write a DEI statement: Best practices

• Come up with a strong title. This doesn’t mean you must spend hours developing a clever title. But try to have something other than ‘Diversity and Inclusion at X’. Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Be Yourself – whoever you are…’ is an excellent example of a strong title that says it all without being too creative. Apple’s ‘We Belong. Together.’ is another strong yet simple title.
• Keep things short and sweet. Try to encapsulate the essence of your organization’s DEI statement in one or two sentences. P&G, Juro, and Ubisoft have done this very well. 
• Link it back to your mission & values. We see this in most of this article’s diversity and inclusion statement examples. For example, Juro, Workday, LEGO Group, and WWF have achieved this well.    
• Consider your target audience. Based on your company’s DEI goals, consider who you are targeting as a company. Are you internally focused on your employees, or has your company also prioritized the social communities, your customers, suppliers, and partners? Highlight your target audience when crafting your DEI statement. 
• Add your company’s unique view. Adding your organization’s unique sauce to the DEI statement is one way to set yourself apart. This could be achieved through including company-specific language (as used in the LEGO, BMW Group, and WWF examples) but also conveyed through your sincerity (such as Ubisoft and Adobe) or in the form of specific focus areas (as with John Lewis and its focus on its Partners). Importantly, it should reflect your company’s identity.
• Be honest. Sounds obvious? Perhaps it is. But with so many eyes on your organization’s DEI statement (employees, candidates, customers, business partners, etc.), it can be tempting to write something that paints an unreal picture of your actual DEI status. Being honest about where you are and where you want to be will ring truer.

On a final note

Neelie Verlinden

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How to write a Diversity Statement & Samples

What is a diversity statement in higher education.

• When do you need a diversity statement?

How to write a good Diversity Statement?

Diversity statement writing tips, how long should a diversity statement be, how to write a diversity statement if you are white, adapting your diversity statement to job application.

There are two types of diversity statements that are regularly used, and they are very different in terms of who is writing it, and how it is being used.

The first type of diversity statement is in relation to different types of applications in the higher education context; while the second type of Diversity Statement is in relation to the type of “diversity position” an organization position herself in the context of equity, diversity, and inclusion .

In this article, we are focusing on the first type of diversity statement which is related to the higher education sector .

Creating a diverse environment is not a top-down process, it is an environment that is co-created by the people who participate in it. In an academic environment, the people are the students, faculties, staff, senior administrators, and also the principal. In order to hire or add new members to the community, the institution typically prefers to hire or recruit new members who appreciate diversity and inclusion. A diversity statement is a form of an artifact that allows the new member to express their view on diversity.

The most common situation that you need to write a diversity statement includes:

Undergraduate and Graduate admissions Diversity Statement

Top tier schools have more student applicants than they need, so they get to be picky and select only the ones that fit their target student profile. Diversity and Inclusion views of the student have become an important factor to gauge the quality of students, such as in Law school.

Fellowship, Grants, and Awards Diversity Statement

When a graduate student wants to apply for a fellowship, it is common that a diversity statement is required as part of the application package. A fellowship provides financial support to graduate students to pursue graduate studies without associated teaching or research responsibilities (as they are in a teaching or research assistantship). Fellowships are generally merit-based  internal or external awards to support a student in a full-time course of study. 

Similarly, a diversity statement is often required for a grant application. Grants are need-based awards that do not need to be repaid as long as the student maintains eligibility. For certain funds, disbursement is dependent on enrollment status. Grants tend to be need-based and are available to students based on criteria such as family income. Federal and state government are the primary sources of grants, The Pell Grant is a well-known federal grant program. State-funded grants ordinarily go to students pursuing an education in that state.

Postdoctoral and Faculty Position Job Application Diversity Statement

Faculty job postings are increasingly asking for diversity statements, in addition to research and teaching statements. Diversity statements have become an integral part of the materials submitted as part of an application for employment. They are just as important as the resume, cover letter and writing sample. A diversity statement is a personal essay that is a depiction of your past experiences and explains how these experiences have contributed to your personal and professional growth. It allows the applicant the opportunity to explain to a search committee the distinct qualities and commitment s/he can bring to the table.

Promotion to Tenure position with a diversity statement

It has become more popular to list a diversity statement as a requirement for tenure promotion in higher education.  A  tenured  post is an indefinite academic appointment that can be terminated only for cause or under extraordinary circumstances , such as financial exigency or program discontinuation. Tenure is a means of defending the principle of academic freedom, which holds that it is beneficial for the society in the long run if scholars are free to hold and examine a variety of views . A tenure assignment is an important process because it can seldom be reversed once assigned, knowing the point of view of a tenure candidate is becoming an important factor in tenure assignments.

You can write a diversity statement using a systematic approach.

• Research on the requirement
• Know your values
• Describe your experience
• Detail your future plan
• Draft, Revise, Revise, and Revise

Define your views on Diversity and Inclusion

When you write your diversity statement, you are to write what you believe. You shouldn’t write something that you don’t believe and otherwise, you are making a false statement or making a false representation of yourself. There are some questions that can help you to start.

• What do equity, diversity, and inclusion mean to you ?
• What quality of your personal experience inform your academia experience y?
• Why do you think diversity and inclusion are important and the benefits of diversity ?
• Why is diversity important to you or the classes you teach?
• in your new role of student, faculty, professor, how do you think you can help with diversity and inclusion
• Describe your values regarding diversity, inclusion, and equity in your professional life ?
• Why do you think DEI is important in Higher ed? How about in your domain?
• How do you work to ensure your classes are inclusive and welcoming to all students?
• Do you belong to any types of diversity ?
• Do you do any service or work with diverse or underrepresented populations? If so, what?
• Did you have any challenges with your gender identities ?
• Does your research connect to diversity efforts or our understanding of diverse populations? If so, how?
• Are you personally diverse in any way that might be relevant to your work? For example, were you a first-generation student, or were you a woman in STEM who aims to expands opportunities for these populations?
• What would you like to do in future departments related to diversity and equity?

After you have a good idea of how you define diversity and what diversity means to you, you can start by writing them down.

Another way to learn more about diversity is to learn what are the trending news in diversity in the workplace . You can learn the latest development of diversity and inclusion in different sectors or in the corporate world.

Describe your Diversity experience

After you draft out your beliefs and your point of views, now is your time to describe your personal experience about diversity. You can write about initiatives or actions that you have taken to promote diversity and inclusion. If you are part of a diverse group, talk about your experience and how it has impacted you.

If you have participated in any social or professional groups that promote diversity and inclusion, write about why you have decided to join such a group and the impact it has on you, and on the community.

Describe your future plan around Diversity and Inclusion

Write, review, and revise your diversity statement.

Draft, review, revise, having someone to proofread for you. I think you know what I mean.

Here are some tips on writing a diversity statement in academic or job application purposes.

Use Concrete Examples in Diversity Statements

Use actual, real examples in your life. Whether it is a mistake you realize you have made before, or you are a victim of discriminations. Tell your story with examples that the reader may be able to relate to.

Tell your own Story

Be sure you are telling your story, not generically as a group or just things you think the readers want to hear. Speak as yourself and tell your own story why you believe diversity and inclusion are important in your expected role, and how it can impact the institution or future team if diversity. If you don’t have tons of experience, then say it that you look forward to the opportunities to learn more. You don’t need to know everything, but it is an opportunity to be open-minded.

Don’t limit to your future role, think about Outreach

When you talk about your future plan to promote diversity, think about outreach, rather than reactive plans only. An example could be (if time permits), you want to join and participate in future diversity and inclusion initiatives in the new workplace. Or, how on your own, promote awareness of diversity.

Do Not Contradict yourself

Well, yes and do not contradict yourself. It is important to be admitted or get a new job, but be sure that you are telling the truth and it is really what you believe in, or what you have experienced personally.

Have a strong commitment with your diversity statement

First, check if there is a requirement of length to the diversity statement. Some applications require more serious thoughts and answers, and they need 2-3 pages to know you.

In general, I would recommend anything between 100-150 words would be enough to share your belief, experience, and future plan about diversity. It is an important topic, but a lot can be said within 150 words or 3 paragraphs.

A white person can experience diversity or even discrimination as well. Diversity doesn’t limit to a racial diversity only, it could be gender, age, and disability. You can think of the perspectives that you have experienced diversity discrimination or any other experience that you have witnessed diversity discrimination.

It is more important to show your awareness of the needs and impact of having a diverse environment and your beliefs or values on how to improve the situation.

In addition, a white person can be a champion or a leader in diversity and inclusion as well. In many cases, there are advantages in doing so.

It is not yet a popular ask for diversity statements in a job application , however, it is never a bad thing to summarize and put it on your application or resume to reflect who you are. Companies value team working and they embrace diversity in culture, work habits, age, skills, and gender. Knowing that you are ready and have experience with a diverse working environment is going to be a plus for your job application. Why not right?

What is a Diversity Statement?

The first type of diversity statement is in relation to different types of applications in the higher education context; while the second type of Diversity Statement is in relation to the type of “diversity position ” an organization position herself in the context of equity, diversity, and inclusion. more on How to write a diversity statement?

How to Write a Diversity Statement if You Are White?

A white person can experience diversity or even discrimination as well. Diversity doesn’t limit to a racial diversity only, it could be gender, age, and disability. More on this at Writing a Diversity Statement

There is not hard answer to the question. First, you should follow the requirement guidelines. Some institution may need 250 words, while some may need a 5 page essay.

More importantly, is the content. You should try the best to communicate the what, how, and your ideas to make diversity and inclusion a part of your focus in future work. Read more at How to write a great diversity statement ?

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May 8, 2024

The Diversity Essay: How to Write an Excellent Diversity Essay

What is a diversity essay in a school application? And why does it matter when applying to leading programs and universities? Most importantly, how should you go about writing such an essay?

Diversity is of supreme value in higher education, and schools want to know how every student will contribute to the diversity on their campus. A diversity essay gives applicants with disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, an unusual education, a distinctive experience, or a unique family history an opportunity to write about how these elements of their background have prepared them to play a useful role in increasing and encouraging diversity among their target program’s student body and broader community.

The purpose of all application essays is to help the adcom better understand who an applicant is and what they care about. Your essays are your chance to share your voice and humanize your application. This is especially true for the diversity essay, which aims to reveal your unique perspectives and experiences, as well as the ways in which you might contribute to a college community.

In this post, we’ll discuss what exactly a diversity essay is, look at examples of actual prompts and a sample essay, and offer tips for writing a standout essay. 

In this post, you’ll find the following: 

What a diversity essay covers

How to show you can add to a school’s diversity, why diversity matters to schools.

• Seven examples that reveal diversity

Sample diversity essay prompts

How to write about your diversity.

• A diversity essay example

Upon hearing the word “diversity” in relation to an application essay, many people assume that they will have to write about gender, sexuality, class, or race. To many, this can feel overly personal or irrelevant, and some students might worry that their identity isn’t unique or interesting enough. In reality, the diversity essay is much broader than many people realize.

Identity means different things to different people. The important thing is that you demonstrate your uniqueness and what matters to you. In addition to writing about one of the traditional identity features we just mentioned (gender, sexuality, class, race), you could consider writing about a more unusual feature of yourself or your life – or even the intersection of two or more identities.

Consider these questions as you think about what to include in your diversity essay:

• Do you have a unique or unusual talent or skill?
• Do you have beliefs or values that are markedly different from those of the people around you? 
• Do you have a hobby or interest that sets you apart from your peers? 
• Have you done or experienced something that few people have? Note that if you choose to write about a single event as a diverse identity feature, that event needs to have had a pretty substantial impact on you and your life. For example, perhaps you’re part of the 0.2% of the world’s population that has run a marathon, or you’ve had the chance to watch wolves hunt in the wild.
• Do you have a role in life that gives you a special outlook on the world? For example, maybe one of your siblings has a rare disability, or you grew up in a town with fewer than 500 inhabitants.

If you are an immigrant to the United States, the child of immigrants, or someone whose ethnicity is underrepresented in the States, your response to “How will you add to the diversity of our class/community?” and similar questions might help your application efforts. Why? Because you have the opportunity to show the adcom how your background will contribute a distinctive perspective to the program you are applying to.

Of course, if you’re not underrepresented in your field or part of a disadvantaged group, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have anything to write about in a diversity essay.

For example, you might have an unusual or special experience to share, such as serving in the military, being a member of a dance troupe, or caring for a disabled relative. These and other distinctive experiences can convey how you will contribute to the diversity of the school’s campus.

Maybe you are the first member of your family to apply to college or the first person in your household to learn English. Perhaps you have worked your way through college or helped raise your siblings. You might also have been an ally to those who are underrepresented, disadvantaged, or marginalized in your community, at your school, or in a work setting. 

As you can see, diversity is not limited to one’s religion, ethnicity, culture, language, or sexual orientation. It refers to whatever element of your identity distinguishes you from others and shows that you, too, value diversity.

The diversity essay provides colleges the chance to build a student body that includes different ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, backgrounds, interests, and so on. Applicants are asked to illuminate what sets them apart so that the adcoms can see what kind of diverse views and opinions they can bring to the campus.

Admissions officers believe that diversity in the classroom improves the educational experience of all the students involved. They also believe that having a diverse workforce better serves society as a whole.

The more diverse perspectives found in the classroom, throughout the dorms, in the dining halls, and mixed into study groups, the richer people’s discussions will be.

Plus, learning and growing in this kind of multicultural environment will prepare students for working in our increasingly multicultural and global world.

In medicine, for example, a heterogeneous workforce benefits people from previously underrepresented cultures. Businesses realize that they will market more effectively if they can speak to different audiences, which is possible when members of their workforce come from various backgrounds and cultures. Schools simply want to prepare graduates for the 21st century job market.

Seven examples that reveal diversity

Adcoms want to know about the diverse elements of your character and how these have helped you develop particular  personality traits , as well as about any unusual experiences that have shaped you.

Here are seven examples an applicant could write about:

1. They grew up in an environment with a strong emphasis on respecting their elders, attending family events, and/or learning their parents’ native language and culture.

2. They are close to their grandparents and extended family members who have taught them how teamwork can help everyone thrive.

3. They have had to face difficulties that stem from their parents’ values being in conflict with theirs or those of their peers.

4. Teachers have not always understood the elements of their culture or lifestyle and how those elements influence their performance.

5. They have suffered discrimination and succeeded despite it because of their grit, values, and character.

6. They learned skills from a lifestyle that is outside the norm (e.g., living in foreign countries as the child of a diplomat or contractor; performing professionally in theater, dance, music, or sports; having a deaf sibling).

7. They’ve encountered racism or other prejudice (either toward themselves or others) and responded by actively promoting diverse, tolerant values.

And remember, diversity is not about who your parents are.  It’s about who you are  – at the core.

Your background, influences, religious observances, native language, ideas, work environment, community experiences – all these factors come together to create a unique individual, one who will contribute to a varied class of distinct individuals taking their place in a diverse world.

The best-known diversity essay prompt is from the  Common App . It states:

“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

Some schools have individual diversity essay prompts. For example, this one is from  Duke University :

“We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.” 

And the  Rice University application includes the following prompt:

“Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?”

In all instances, colleges want you to demonstrate how and what you’ll contribute to their communities.

Your answer to a school’s diversity essay question should focus on how your experiences have built your empathy for others, your embrace of differences, your resilience, your character, and your perspective.

The school might ask how you think of diversity or how you will bring or add to the diversity of the school, your chosen profession, or your community. Make sure you answer the specific question posed by highlighting distinctive elements of your profile that will add to the class mosaic every adcom is trying to create. You don’t want to blend in; you want to stand out in a positive way while also complementing the school’s canvas.

Here’s a simple, three-part framework that will help you think of diversity more broadly:

Who are you? What has contributed to your identity? How do you distinguish yourself? Your identity can include any of the following: gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, nontraditional work experience, nontraditional educational background, multicultural background, and family’s educational level.

What have you done? What have you accomplished? This could include any of the following: achievements inside and/or outside your field of study, leadership opportunities, community service, internship or professional experience, research opportunities, hobbies, and travel. Any or all of these could be unique. Also, what life-derailing, throw-you-for-a-loop challenges have you faced and overcome?

How do you think? How do you approach things? What drives you? What influences you? Are you the person who can break up a tense meeting with some well-timed humor? Are you the one who intuitively sees how to bring people together? 

Read more about this three-part framework in Episode 193 of Accepted’s Admissions Straight Talk podcast or listen wherever you get your favorite podcast s.

Think about each question within this framework and how you could apply your diversity elements to your target school’s classroom or community. Any of these elements can serve as the framework for your essay.

Don’t worry if you can’t think of something totally “out there.” You don’t need to be a tightrope walker living in the Andes or a Buddhist monk from Japan to be able to contribute to a school’s diversity!

And please remember, the examples we have offered here are not exhaustive. There are many other ways to show diversity!

All you need to do to be able to write successfully about how you will contribute to the diversity of your target school’s community is examine your identity, deeds, and ideas, with an eye toward your personal distinctiveness and individuality. There is only one  you .

Take a look at the sample diversity essay in the next section of this post, and pay attention to how the writer underscores their appreciation for, and experience with, diversity. 

A diversity essay sample

When I was starting 11th grade, my dad, an agricultural scientist, was assigned to a 3-month research project in a farm village in Niigata (northwest Honshu in Japan). Rather than stay behind with my mom and siblings, I begged to go with him. As a straight-A student, I convinced my parents and the principal that I could handle my schoolwork remotely (pre-COVID) for that stretch. It was time to leap beyond my comfortable suburban Wisconsin life—and my Western orientation, reinforced by travel to Europe the year before. 

We roomed in a sprawling farmhouse with a family participating in my dad’s study. I thought I’d experience an “English-free zone,” but the high school students all studied and wanted to practice English, so I did meet peers even though I didn’t attend their school. Of the many eye-opening, influential, cultural experiences, the one that resonates most powerfully to me is experiencing their community. It was a living, organic whole. Elementary school kids spent time helping with the rice harvest. People who foraged for seasonal wild edibles gave them to acquaintances throughout the town. In fact, there was a constant sharing of food among residents—garden veggies carried in straw baskets, fish or meat in coolers. The pharmacist would drive prescriptions to people who couldn’t easily get out—new mothers, the elderly—not as a business service but as a good neighbor. If rain suddenly threatened, neighbors would bring in each other’s drying laundry. When an empty-nest 50-year-old woman had to be hospitalized suddenly for a near-fatal snakebite, neighbors maintained her veggie patch until she returned. The community embodied constant awareness of others’ needs and circumstances. The community flowed!

Yet, people there lamented that this lifestyle was vanishing; more young people left than stayed or came. And it wasn’t idyllic: I heard about ubiquitous gossip, long-standing personal enmities, busybody-ness. But these very human foibles didn’t dam the flow. This dynamic community organism couldn’t have been more different from my suburban life back home, with its insular nuclear families. We nod hello to neighbors in passing. 

This wonderful experience contained a personal challenge. Blond and blue-eyed, I became “the other” for the first time. Except for my dad, I saw no Westerner there. Curious eyes followed me. Stepping into a market or walking down the street, I drew gazes. People swiftly looked away if they accidentally caught my eye. It was not at all hostile, I knew, but I felt like an object. I began making extra sure to appear “presentable” before going outside. The sense of being watched sometimes generated mild stress or resentment. Returning to my lovely tatami room, I would decompress, grateful to be alone. I realized this challenge was a minute fraction of what others experience in my own country. The toll that feeling—and being— “other” takes on non-white and visibly different people in the US can be extremely painful. Experiencing it firsthand, albeit briefly, benignly, and in relative comfort, I got it.

Unlike the organic Niigata community, work teams, and the workplace itself, have externally driven purposes. Within this different environment, I will strive to exemplify the ongoing mutual awareness that fueled the community life in Niigata. Does it benefit the bottom line, improve the results? I don’t know. But it helps me be the mature, engaged person I want to be, and to appreciate the individuals who are my colleagues and who comprise my professional community. I am now far more conscious of people feeling their “otherness”—even when it’s not in response to negative treatment, it can arise simply from awareness of being in some way different.

What did you think of this essay? Does this middle class Midwesterner have the unique experience of being different from the surrounding majority, something she had not experienced in the United States? Did she encounter diversity from the perspective of “the other”? 

Here a few things to note about why this diversity essay works so well:

1. The writer comes from “a comfortable, suburban, Wisconsin life,” suggesting that her background might not be ethnically, racially, or in any other way diverse.

2. The diversity “points” scored all come from her fascinating experience of having lived in a Japanese farm village, where she immersed herself in a totally different culture.

3. The lessons learned about the meaning of community are what broaden and deepen the writer’s perspective about life, about a purpose-driven life, and about the concept of “otherness.” 

By writing about a time when you experienced diversity in one of its many forms, you can write a memorable and meaningful diversity essay.

Working on your diversity essay?

Want to ensure that your application demonstrates the diversity that your dream school is seeking?  Work with one of our admissions experts . This checklist includes more than 30 different ways to think about diversity to jump-start your creative engine.

Dr. Sundas Ali has more than 15 years of experience teaching and advising students, providing career and admissions advice, reviewing applications, and conducting interviews for the University of Oxford’s undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, Sundas has worked with students from a wide range of countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, and the Middle East. Want Sundas to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! 

Related Resources:

• Different Dimensions of Diversity , podcast Episode 193
• What Should You Do If You Belong to an Overrepresented MBA Applicant Group?
• Fitting In & Standing Out: The Paradox at the Heart of Admissions , a free guide

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Center for Teaching

Developing and writing a diversity statement.

What is a diversity statement, and what purpose does it serve?

What topics might be included in a diversity statement.

• Getting Started

Writing Prompts

Adapting your statement for a job application, additional resources.

Increasingly, institutions of higher education are becoming more intentional and programmatic about their efforts to embrace principles of inclusion, equity, justice, and diversity throughout campus life. As they do so, they are more focused on finding faculty who have experiences and competencies that can contribute to these efforts. Consequently, universities and colleges frequently are requesting that job applicants address how they can contribute to a culture of inclusion and equity within the campus community in the form of a “diversity statement.”

Sometimes, a job ad will request that applicants address diversity in the cover letter or the teaching statement, but a request for a separate diversity statement is becoming more common. From the perspective of some universities, the purpose of such documents is to demonstrate that the applicant has commitments and capacities to contribute to the institution’s projects of inclusion and equity via their work, including scholarship, teaching, service, mentoring, and advising. Asking faculty applicants to speak to inclusive excellence in their application materials or during the interview process shows a university’s commitment to inclusion and ensures that new faculty share that commitment (2018). The document is also an opportunity for applicants to highlight their understanding of the barriers faced by under-represented or marginalized groups, as well as their own experiences meeting the needs of a diverse population of students, staff, and peers. For example, The University of California at San Diego requests a separate “Contributions to Diversity” statement from all faculty applicants, and its published guidelines suggest describing “your past efforts, as well as future plans to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.” (2.1.18, https://facultydiversity.ucsd.edu/_files/c2d-guidelines.pdf ).

The wording that universities and colleges use in framing the request for a diversity statement varies widely. Below are a few examples from job ads posted in the 2017-2018 academic year.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland (public liberal arts college, faculty posting in Psychology):

Applicants should submit a statement explaining how their teaching at the College will contribute to a culture of inclusion and campus diversity .

Denison University (private liberal arts university in Ohio, faculty posting in Anthropology):

A description of how the applicant would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at Denison through her/his teaching, research, and/or service .

Angelo State (public university in Texas, faculty posting in Engineering):

The required Other Document should be no longer than 2 pages and should discuss how the candidate would help achieve Angelo State University’s goal to attract and graduate more women, Hispanic, and students from other underrepresented groups .

Georgia College and State University (public liberal arts college, faculty posting in Psychology)

Qualified candidates should submit a research statement, and a diversity statement (describing how you incorporate diversity into your teaching, research, and/or service). Teaching, research, and diversity statements should be limited to two single-spaced pages.

Franklin & Marshall College (private liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, Visiting Assistant Professor Position in Psychology)

Pursuant to the college’s vision for cultivating a diverse and inclusive community, the search committee will ask all applicants to address how their past and/or potential contributions might serve to advance F&M’s commitment to teaching and mentoring young people from a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews th at arise from differences of culture and circumstance.

Since the diversity statement is an emerging genre in the context of faculty job applications, there are few set guidelines on what must be included. Keeping in mind that the purpose of the statement is to demonstrate a commitment to fostering diversity, the following elements may be appropriate:

• Statement of values as they relate to your understanding and commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and/or justice in higher education.
• Examples of experiences that demonstrate your commitment to fostering the success of underrepresented students, staff, and peers, and supporting a diversity of perspectives in the classroom, lab, campus, or community.
• Future plans for continuing to advance inclusive excellence, diversity, or equity in your research, teaching, and service.

Getting started

• What are your values regarding diversity, inclusion, and equity in your professional life? Why do you think diversity is valuable in higher education settings? How about in your discipline specifically?
• What kinds of student, staff, or faculty diversity are you thinking of as you answer this question, and are there other ways in which diversity manifests in campus communities that might be valuable to consider?
• What elements of your own identity inform your teaching, research, or scholarship in a tangible way?

It is worth noting that diversity statements are fundamentally about your values, commitments, and capabilities, and not necessarily your identity and the ways it shapes your work. If you choose to disclose your identity in a diversity statement, you should be aware of some issues.

Should You Self-Disclose Elements of Your Personal Identity?

Note that some people wish to share elements of their personal background in their actual statement, and many do not. Reflecting on your own frame of reference can be useful regardless. Some degree of transparency may help readers contextualize the experiences and approaches you detail in your statement. For example, you may wish to share that you grew up in a bilingual household or that you attended graduate school as an international student, if either has influenced your approach to mentorship or teaching. A 2014 study investigated the content of 191 cover letters for faculty positions in which applicants were specifically asked to address diversity and inclusion; less than a quarter of applicants self-disclosed some aspect of their personal identity (Schmaling, Trevino, Lind, Blume, & Baker, 2014). Despite the low percentage of applicants who chose to self-disclose and despite the authors’ note that they could not determine which applications advanced as a function of the applicants’ choice to self-disclose, they write that “self-disclosing one’s diversity may reconceptualize membership in a previously stigmatized group as an advantage, particularly if the self-identification reinforces a coherent academic and professional identity (Schmaling et al., 2014, p. 10)..”

However, be advised that there is risk in disclosing details that may carry stigma or induce subtle biases on the part of readers. For example, some research confirms that biases toward African Americans and women influence evaluation of written application materials (Dovidio & Gaertner, 2000; Moss-Racusin, Dovidio, Brescoll, Graham, & Handelsman, 2012), specifically when the application is not exceptionally weak or exceptionally strong (Dovidio & Gaertner, 2000). The potential benefit of self-disclosing one’s mental health history or sexual orientation, for example, should be carefully weighed against the risk. To be sure, an excellent statement can be written without sharing elements of personal identity, and some universities that request statements are beginning to highlight this. The University of San Diego’s published guidelines to writing a diversity statement, for example, emphasize their desire to identify candidates who share the institution’s commitment to inclusive excellence, “regardless of personal demographic characteristics.”

The following prompts are meant to help you identify areas of strength to highlight in your diversity statement. For each of the following areas, think about your past experience and what you plan to do in the future. You don’t need to answer every question, as all may not apply.

Research and Scholarship

• Does your research/scholarship directly address issues of diversity, inclusion, or equity? If so, how?
• Does your research/scholarship address issues specific to marginalized groups? If so, describe the connection.
• Has your research/scholarship been shared with the community or public in a way that promotes access to scholarship?
• Has your scholarship involved collaboration with diverse groups of colleagues or commentators?

Mentorship and Advising

• Have you worked with any students in a mentorship or advisory capacity who are from marginalized groups? If so, how did you help them identify and overcome barriers to success? Think about your experience with research mentorship, teaching or tutoring, academic advising, and community mentorship.
• If you plan to train undergraduates and/or graduate students in your future role, what efforts will you make to recruit and retain students from marginalized and underrepresented groups?
• How do you plan to serve a student body that is diverse in a multitude of ways? Think not just race, ethnicity, and SES, but about age, religion, academic preparedness, disability, gender expression, or other differences.
• How does your approach to course design take into account considerations of diversity? You may wish to reflect on using a range of assessments, preventing bias in grading, diversifying course content, using inclusive language in the syllabus and classroom, or utilizing student feedback to improve classroom culture or tone. Try to generate at least one specific example of how your decision affects student’s learning in your course. (Note: One prominent example of inclusive syllabus language is diversity statements within syllabi; see examples from Brown University , Yale Center for Teaching and Learning , and The Eberly Center at Carnegie Mellon University )
• What do you do as a teacher that creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere? How do you ensure that students in your class feel a sense of belonging?
• How does your approach to facilitating discussion (and/or structuring active learning activities) take into account considerations of positionality, power, and/or diversity? You may wish to reflect on using semi-structured discussion techniques, online access points for student participation, classroom seating arrangements, or other ways in which you create opportunities for student engagement. Try to generate at least one specific example of how your pedagogical choice facilitates student engagement in a particular course.
• Does your discipline lend itself to dialogue about diversity? If so, how do you incorporate this dialogue into your courses? Describe the impact of doing so on student learning and engagement.
• How do you ensure that your course readings and sources reflect diverse perspectives? Have you had any experience diversifying/decolonizing content for your courses, and if so, what has been the impact on student learning?
• Have you participated in any service activities (e.g. university committees, symposiums, workshops, volunteer work in the community) whose goals relate to diversity, inclusion, and equity? If so, describe your experience. What did you accomplish? What did you learn? What skills did you build in the process?
• If you have engaged in diversity-related service, how will you incorporate your experience into the job for which you are applying? (Note: here is where – having done your research on the school to which you are applying – you might consider referencing an existing diversity-related initiative to which you could contribute or which you could expand)

After you have developed a statement that reflects your strengths and experiences related to diversity, inclusion, and equity, you may wish to tailor it for individual job applications. Be sure to do your homework about diversity-related programs and resources at the schools to which you are applying, and consider including how you plan to contribute to or expand existing programs at that institution. For example, if you have been particularly active in social justice initiatives and are applying to a school with no existing programs addressing race, power and privilege in higher education, it may be appropriate to propose a program modelled on something you’ve already done. However, you do not need to propose a new diversity-related program to write an effective diversity statement. Perhaps you envision your contribution as serving on faculty committees related to diversifying curriculum in your department or advising LGBT-student groups or research initiatives. Be honest about where you are and how you can contribute.

• Golash-Boza, T. (2016). “ The Effective Diversity Statement .” Inside Higher Ed.
• University of California: Contributions to Diversity
• Dovidio, J. F., & Gaertner, S. L. (2000). Aversive racism and selection decisions: 1989 and 1999.   Psychological Science, 11 (4), 315-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00262
• Schmaling, K. B., Trevino, A. Y., Lind, J. R., Blume, A. W., & Baker, D. L. (2015). Diversity statements: How faculty applicants address diversity.   Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 8 (4), 213-224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0038549
• Moss-Racusin, C., Dovidio, J. F., Brescoll, V. L., Graham, M. J., & Handelsman, J. (2012). Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students.   PNAS Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 109 (41), 16474-16479. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1211286109

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