Diversity Statement

The Laney Graduate School strives to create and strengthen an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually challenging environment that embraces difference in service to the global good. This commitment is captured in our Vision and Mission Statements.

As we consider applications for admission, we strive to build a community of scholars who possess the skills, mindset, and dedication to excel academically, contribute to their fields, and positively impact society. We believe that a holistic evaluation process ensures that we select the most exceptional applicants who align with our programs’ values and have the potential to make meaningful contributions to their chosen field and society. The holistic review also allows our faculty to ensure scholars are likely to succeed and thrive at Emory and will meaningfully advance the educational experiences of their peers and teachers in support of mission aims.

The Emory community is open to all who have a commitment to the highest ideals of intellectual engagement, critical inquiry, and integrity. We welcome a diversity of gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, disabilities, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, religious, national, and international backgrounds, believing that the academic and social energy that results from such diversity is essential to advancing knowledge, addressing society’s most pressing issues, and attending to the full spectrum of human needs in service to the common good.

We would also add socioeconomic level, first generation graduate student status, undergraduate experience, geographical location, political affiliations, veterans’ status, age, family structure and life experiences. At Laney Graduate School, everyone has a story about diversity and inclusion because no two life experiences are the same.

Diversity can be measured in part by an individual’s perseverance, grit, resilience, self-awareness, and collaboration skills.

We encourage you to submit a brief diversity statement to articulate how your experiences will provide a unique perspective and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance campus diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. The statement should describe how your experiences demonstrate your commitment and ability to engage with issues of diversity and inclusion and should also discuss how those commitments might be reflected during your time in graduate school and in your potential career aspirations.

Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.

Updated September 10, 2023