Inclusive Excellence at UMBC

During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Division of Institutional Equity engaged the campus community to co-create a definition of inclusive excellence grounded in our realities, gaps, and aspirations. Drawing on Campus Climate Study data and feedback from the co-creation process, the resulting definition reflects who we are, while the process itself, grounded in fair process (Kim & Mauborgne, 2003), models who we want to be. Other inputs included

  • UMBC Vision and Mission statements
  • Inclusive excellence frameworks at various institutions, including AAC&U’s framework
  • Information gathered and compiled through various feedback channels, including UMBC Talks 
  • UMBC’s Civic Learning Aspirations
  • Interfaith America’s Key Principles of Civic Pluralism
  • Draft two statements and community feedback recommendations

At UMBC, Inclusive Excellence is a shared commitment to building a community where every person — regardless of role, identity, or background — can participate fully, contribute meaningfully, and thrive. It is rooted in the belief that there is no hierarchy of human value, and that our excellence as an institution depends on every member's ability to belong, grow, and shape this community alongside each other.

What We Mean by Inclusive Excellence

Individual Domain Language

Core Commitments and Practices

Inclusive Excellence is the institutional claim. Inclusive leadership, practiced by every member, is what makes that claim real.

What role will you play? Institutional accountability only holds if the people inside it practice accountability with each other, too.

The inclusive excellence framework includes five domains that name the areas of practice through which inclusive excellence takes shape at UMBC. They are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. No domain stands alone.