Inclusion and belonging
A welcoming, inclusive and supportive community
Honoring place and positionality
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts acknowledges the twenty-two Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today.
The Herberger Institute acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and creative methodologies within design and the arts education.
Get involved
As a first year or transfer student, learn more about Culture at ASU during Fall Welcome! On Tuesdays of Fall Welcome, ASU hosts Culture Fest after Sun Devil Welcome that evening. Also, be sure to participate in the Herberger Institute’s Student of Color Welcome!
The office of Student and Cultural Engagement at ASU and the Council of Coalitions’ vision is to ensure Arizona State University is a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community that respects and honors all cultures and identities. The Council of Coalitions offers Sun Devils a prime opportunity for leadership. Their vision is to ensure Arizona State University is a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community that respects and honors all cultures and identities. Explore the Coalitions to learn about these impactful communities at ASU. Also check out the different Heritage Month celebrations occurring throughout the year. In addition to the Coalitions, there are many student organizations that are social identity based. Check out these organizations on Sun Devil Sync.
Are you looking for more of an advocacy role to create programs and events or to create change in the Herberger Institute? Check out our Student Leaders page to learn more and apply to our student leadership positions. Every position works toward inclusive and creative excellence. The Creative Mentors and Herberger Institute Senators play a direct role in advocacy based changes in the Herberger Institute.
Resources for students
The OUT@ASU resource page offers a variety of different resources at ASU, in the Phoenix Metro and more. In addition to the campus resources, community resources, trans resources and Rainbow Connections provided here, you can connect with the Rainbow Coalition, the umbrella group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Ally student organizations across all campus locations.
Inclusion initiatives in the Herberger Institute
The Culture and Access department in the Herberger Institute works to build a culture of empathy across all units in ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts for students, faculty and staff. The department also works to dismantle systems of oppression that affect the recruitment and retention of marginalized students, faculty and staff in our Herberger Institute community. The Culture and Access department also oversees Herberger Institute Day.
How do I voice a concern?
The Herberger Institute aspires to create a community that is welcoming to people of all cultures, races, sexes, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, ages, religions and economic statuses. If you have an experience within the classroom that does not reflect our goals of respect and inclusion, if you need support around a conflict you are having with someone in the department, or if you’d like help gaining clarity around a challenging situation, please let us know.
We recognize that different situations call for different types of support. You might be looking for a listening partner, or advice, or action. Know that, no matter which path you choose, you can always opt to remain anonymous.
Want to connect with a staff member for help? Reach out to a Herberger Institute Student Engagement staff member using our staff website. Want to submit a concern? You can use our Community of Care process. Want to file a formal complaint? The Office of Inclusion and Community Engagement outlines several options for reporting you can choose.