Our Commitment

President Joseph E. Aoun has outlined the following series of actionable steps to advance justice and cultural literacy throughout our university community and to help end systemic racism.

The Addition of an NUPD Advisory Board

The board’s mission is to guide, inform, and strengthen NUPD’s relationship with the community—both within and outside Northeastern.

Elevation of the Presidential Council on Diversity and Inclusion

The council, formed in 2013, has been charged with finding new opportunities for Northeastern to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable, and to advance the cause of racial justice.

Additional steps in the President’s Action Plan

Increase diversity and representation at all levels
Improve universitywide accountability
Appointed Robert Jose as Dean for Cultural and Spiritual Life
Improve support for Black students
Enact cultural competency and anti-racism training
Deepen community engagement
Amplify our impact through our employer partners

Read the full plan

Ideas, Action, Change

Northeastern has long been focused on raising awareness and creating change toward a more equitable and socially just world.

John D. O’Bryant African American Institute

Supporting students of African origin and engaging the broader university community in developing student leaders.

Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project

Helping scholars, policymakers, and organizers seek justice for civil rights crimes committed during the period of 1930 to 1970.

Center on Crime and Community Resilience

Finding innovative, research-based policy solutions to crime and other urban social problems.

Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy

Developing and implementing policies to improve the quality of life and social justice in urban areas.

Institute on Race and Justice

Providing critical research to influence issues of race and inequality in the criminal justice and education systems.

Strategic Advancement of Rising Scholars (STARS) Fellowship

Offering funding and support to help underrepresented students of color pursue PhDs and careers in STEM.

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

This Northeastern office promotes the university’s commitment to equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity, and social justice while building a climate of inclusion throughout our campuses.

Learn More

Every day our students, faculty, staff, and alumni put ideas into action to build a more inclusive and equitable community. It’s important to share our stories and support one other in this commitment.

How to talk to kids about systemic racism and anti-Black violence

Explaining racism to children is an essential conversation in families, irrespective of race or skin color, says Tracy Robinson-Wood, a professor of applied psychology. She and her colleague Laurie Kramer, also a professor of applied psychology, suggest talking to children in ways that are appropriate for their ages, and giving them opportunities to take action afterward.

Voices of Northeastern: Roberto Molar Candanosa

Hear the powerful words of Roberto Molar Candanosa, a science reporter at Northeastern, whose story News@Northeastern is featuring in an audio series on members of the university community. He says racial inequalities in the U.S. are part of an identity problem. “We need to start putting aside all of our individualism and provincialism, and stare at our history—ugly or not—right in the eyes.”

He’s setting an example for the next generation of black STEM professionals

When Northeastern graduate Cory Weathers trotted up to the stage to accept an award as a leading African American engineer, the moment was simultaneously an homage to his family and the young black students and professionals sitting in the audience with dreams of a career like his.