Diversity
Diversity and Inclusion: A Mission-Centered Commitment
At Notre Dame de Namur University, diversity and inclusion are not separate programs or isolated initiatives. They are central to who we are as a Catholic institution in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Across all departments and roles, we work to build a university where each person's dignity is respected, belonging is intentional, and justice is actively pursued.
These commitments are grounded in the Hallmarks of the Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community, which guide the daily work of faculty, staff, and leadership.
Our Commitment in Action
The Hallmarks of the Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community help guide NDNU’s commitment to dignity, diversity, community, justice, and peace.
Hallmark Two
We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person. Every member of the NDNU community is created in the image and likeness of God.
Hallmark Five
We embrace the gift of diversity. We welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences.
Hallmark Six
We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve. We access campus climate and work to remove barriers to full participation.
Hallmark Three
We educate for and act on behalf of justice and peace in the world. We develop systems and practices that identify inequities and promote fairness.
Why This Work Matters
It supports student learning.
Students learn more effectively in environments where they feel a sense of belonging and psychological safety.
It prepares students for life and work.
NDNU graduates will enter multicultural workplaces and communities where difference is a necessary skill.
It strengthens teaching and student support.
Faculty and staff equipped to serve diverse students can build stronger relationships and foster better outcomes.
It reflects our role in the region.
As a minority-serving institution in the Bay Area, NDNU must engage with surrounding communities through authentic relationships.
Meet the Director
Bobby Vaughn
bvaughn@ndnu.eduAs Director of Mission, Diversity and Inclusion at NDNU, I am dedicated to creating an inclusive campus where all students, faculty, and staff feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. I hold a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Stanford University, where my research focused on race and Black identity in southern Mexico.
Before stepping into this role, I served as a professor of sociology at NDNU for nearly 20 years. Teaching and mentoring students has always been at the heart of my work. I continue that commitment by helping students and staff connect with resources, navigate challenges, and build a sense of belonging on campus.
I encourage students, faculty, and staff to reach out, share their experiences, and take part in shaping the future of NDNU.
Diversity Council
The Diversity Council meets monthly to advise the President on ways to implement a comprehensive program for the development of a multi-racial, multicultural, inclusive community. Members facilitate ongoing opportunities for campus-wide discussion relating to diversity, create an environment that fosters behaviors that model an appreciation of diversity.
Director, Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Library
Director, STARS Grant
School of Education
Dean, School of Education
School of Education
Human Resources
Curriculum Design Specialist
Student
Admissions
Access meeting materials, agendas, and shared documents on the Diversity Council SharePoint site. NDNU login required.
Diversity Book Club
Open to all NDNU faculty, staff, and students. Each cycle we select a title that deepens our understanding of identity, equity, and belonging — grounded in the Sisters' call to embrace the gift of diversity. Invitations to participate are sent via campus email at the start of each cycle.
Disability Visibility
First-person accounts from disabled activists, artists, and thinkers that challenge ableism and center disabled voices in conversations about everyday life, culture, and justice.
There There
A polyphonic novel following twelve Native characters converging on the Oakland Coliseum — a landmark work on urban Indigenous identity, loss, and the complexity of contemporary Native American life.
Selected Resources
As an institutional member of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Belong Initiative, we have access to a range of articles and media that are routinely shared with faculty and staff and curated by CIC. The selected resources below are intended to support ongoing reflection and dialogue around belonging, inclusion, and community-building in higher education. This is a growing collection, and additional resources will be added over time as new materials are shared through the initiative.
2026 January 2026
2025 July 2025
2025 June 2025
2025 April 2025
2025 March 2025
2025 January 2025
NDNU is an active member of the Belong Network
A network of Council of Independent Colleges member institutions dedicated to making their campuses more welcoming and inclusive. Designed in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Belong offers a suite of professional development resources for faculty and staff to support student belonging in class and campus-wide. Belong equips faculty and staff with evidence-based skills and knowledge that increase student belonging and advance campus retention efforts, and reflects NDNU's mission and values.
Student Resources
Undergraduate and graduate students at NDNU have access to a broad range of support services, including but not limited to social, emotional, physical, academic, career-oriented, housing assistance, and financial help.
Student Accessibility Services
NDNU is committed to providing equal access to education for students with disabilities. Contact our accessibility office to learn about accommodations and support.
Planting Seeds for Success
Programs that support the academic, personal, and cultural success of Native American students through scholarship, mentorship, and an inclusive learning environment.
Student Services
Explore NDNU student services and resources for academic support, financial aid, registration, student accounts, wellness, accessibility, and more.
Explore Student Services →Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center provides online and in-person services and resources to support students in achieving academic and professional success.
Visit the Academic Success Center →