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School of Diplomacy and International Relations
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

In June 2020, the School of Diplomacy convened a Coalition of faculty, administrators, students, alumni and friends of the School dedicated to improving diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and in the School’s impact on the community.

The Coalition’s work lead to institutional efforts with respect to diversity which are three-fold. First, we expose students to diversity. Second, we train students to better engage with diversity. Finally, we work to enhance student and faculty diversity.

Diplomacy students talking with UN Amb Thomas-Greenfield

Expose Students to Diversity

The School hosts a broad range of diverse speakers. The School's World Leaders Forum has featured Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Madam Leymah Gbowee, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the Hungarian President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi, and the French Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. Archbishop Christophe Pierre. In each of these opportunities, we engaged a diverse group of students in small group and one-on-one opportunities to ask the questions most of interest to them.

We carry the same approach of one-to-one integration in our study trips, which take students to Cuba, the African Union, Cyprus, and the Basque Country, and through numerous student trips to the United Nations. By creating opportunities for students to meet speakers from various backgrounds, they learn that Diplomacy is created by people from many different walks of life, and that there are numerous points of entry into their respective careers.

The School has hosted trainings and discussions on anti-racism, privilege, cultural appropriation, allyship and non-violent communications as well as sessions to discuss topics of diversity and inclusion within the School.

The School hosts annual DEIJ professional development events including My Experience as a Black Professional: Culturally Navigating a Diverse Environment. This event is a Black Alumni panel discussion, moderated by a Black alumnus or student, that asks questions about the panelists’ unique experience navigating the field of international relations as a Black professional.

We also advertise weekly University and external opportunities in our e-newsletter for students to expand their knowledge and network in DEIJ inside and outside the University.

Diplomacy student studying with books and flags.

Train Students to Engage Diversity

The School launched three new courses that faculty developed based on feedback from the Coalition. These courses include: Religion, Race and International Relations; Race & Racism in International Law & Politics; and Gender, Race & Culture in International Relations. They are regular offerings for both graduate and undergraduate students.

The School has supported our students and alumni in developing student organizations for underrepresented groups. The School has a Women of Diplomacy Leadership Program, a Latin America Diplomacy Student Organization and a Black Diplomacy Student Organization (BDSO).

Students at the United Nations

Enhance Student and Faculty Diversity

The remarkable diversity of the faculty – with professors from nearly every continent – has 
helped the School continually attract a diverse student body. Nonetheless, in recent years we have embarked on bold new initiatives to continue to enhance the diversity of our students. Our Executive M.S. degrees are intended for mid-career professionals, and we routinely enroll students who work for country missions to the United Nations as well as international organizations based in New York City.

The School participates in the Coverdell Fellows program, which means that returning Peace Corps volunteers are eligible to receive scholarships to offset the costs of tuition. In addition, the School of Diplomacy is a partner institution of the following prestigious graduate fellowships:

  • Thomas Pickering Foreign Affairs Program
  • USAID Donald Payne International Development Program
  • Charles Rangel International Affairs Program   

We have also worked to strengthen the student experience so that students can engage in our programs regardless of income. We have expanded our internship scholarships so that 
students can apply for funding to complete their internship programs in D.C., New 
York, and internationally, in any semester.

The School maintains membership and partnership in the following organizations created to increase opportunities for BIPOC in international affairs. Through these organizations, the School recruits new students and offers current students external event opportunities, fellowships, internship and job opportunities.

  • Black Professionals in International Affairs
  • Global Access Pipeline
  • Public Policy & International Affairs   

The School is also a founding partner of Public Policy New Voices, sponsored by Disney and other private sector organizations. The program provides mentoring, networking, workshops and events, and the opportunity to apply for paid internships in public policy areas in private sector companies.

The school continues to partner with Newark High Schools to feed the pipeline of diverse students of international affairs:

  • Essex County Donald Payne Senior Tech
  • Newark Global Studies High School
  • We have partnered with several organizations that are addressing diversity in international affairs, including Orgs in Solidary through Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security and the University Leadership Council on Diversity and Inclusion in International Affairs through Georgetown. These organizations allow the School to hear DEI best practices and challenges, discuss trends, and provide opportunities to our community.  

The School of Diplomacy and International Relations values and supports Seton Hall University’s work in the diversity, equity and inclusion area.  For more information and resources, https://www.shu.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/