Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., stepped down as the University of Notre Dame’s president on May 31, 2024, to return to full-time teaching and ministry. From the beginning of his tenure, Fr. Jenkins made clear that advancing diversity and inclusion would be among the primary goals he would pursue during his presidency.
He noted in his 2005 inaugural address: “We must enhance racial, ethnic, gender, socio-economic, and geographical diversity on this campus. We have at Notre Dame a profound rationale for embracing diversity: we believe every human being possesses the dignity of being made in God’s image, and every culture reflects God’s grandeur. As we strive to make Notre Dame more diverse, we must remember that the mere gathering of a diverse group has no value unless the group is a community in which the gifts of each individual enrich the lives of every individual.”
In 2005, I had no idea that I would have the honor of working alongside Fr. Jenkins as vice president for institutional transformation and his advisor—a role he established in 2022 to oversee and help coordinate an integrated diversity, equity and inclusion strategy for the University. However, I valued then and continue to be inspired now, by his powerful call to action for several reasons.
First, he celebrated the progress that had been made to date while highlighting how far we had (and still have) to go. While Notre Dame had yet fully to achieve its aspirations regarding diversity and inclusion, we had made discernible progress when Fr. Jenkins took office. He set out to continue the good work of his predecessors Rev. Edward A. “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., and Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C.. During his 19 years as president he has worked proactively with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Board of Trustees to address the challenges facing our campus.
Second, Fr. Jenkins has reminded us all that embracing diversity is a part of our mandate as a Catholic university. We are called by the Gospel to love one another. This self-giving, other-centered love is particularly cognizant of those who have been pushed to the margins because the goal is that everyone here feels welcomed and at home.
Third, Fr. Jenkins made it clear that diversity for diversity’s sake is not our objective. Notre Dame, at its very best, not only reflects the breadth and richness of the Catholic Church—the most global, multicultural, and multilingual institution in the world—but also cultivates a safe environment where all who study and work here can share their opinions and experiences, positively contribute to the University’s mission, feel valued, and succeed in their chosen endeavors.
Fr. Jenkins maintained a straightforward and transparent approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout his presidency. As a result, a number of key milestones were reached, including:
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Meaningful increases in the diversity of undergraduate and graduate students, including significant growth among international students, along with progress in diversity among full-time, tenured, and tenure-track faculty.
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Ongoing redevelopment of South Bend’s Northeast Neighborhood, south of campus, in collaboration with the nonprofit Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization, the City of South Bend, and community partners.
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Expanding the University's international footprint with the creation of Notre Dame International (now Notre Dame Global) in 2011.
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Creating various means to facilitate communication, coordination and accountability in our efforts across the University to make Notre Dame an even more diverse and inclusive community.
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The 2016 launch of Walk the Walk Week, an annual week-long series of events designed to help the campus community consider how we can take an active role in making Notre Dame more welcoming and inclusive.
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Creation and utilization of the Inclusive Campus Student Survey, which provides undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to share their experiences.
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In 2020, forming a Trustee Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to examine the campus climate, hear from various constituencies, review University initiatives and offer recommendations.
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The opening of a new, expanded Robinson Community Learning Center to serve the community in 2020. The off-campus educational initiative was founded in 2001, in partnership with residents of South Bend’s Northeast Neighborhood.
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The 2021 establishment of the Notre Dame Initiative on Race and Resilience, an interdisciplinary program focused on the redress of systemic racism and the support of communities of color both within and beyond the Notre Dame campus.
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The launch of the Transformational Leaders Program in 2021 to enhance the academic trajectories and community of some of our most promising students who have also, in some way, been historically marginalized or challenged.
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In 2023, opening the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in LaFortune Student Center as a collaborative work space for student groups as well as Multicultural Student Programs and Services, Student Enrichment, and the Gender Relations Center.
These are just a few of the ways in which our campus infrastructure and ethos have been enhanced under Fr. Jenkins’ leadership. I thank him for his consistency and vision and am immensely grateful that he will remain a colleague at the University. He has much yet to contribute to our academic community in the realms of research, teaching, and service.
As our new president, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., takes office, the University’s commitment to institutional transformation is stronger than ever. Fr. Dowd is fully committed to and enthusiastic about what our office has been doing, and we look forward to his visionary leadership. Our office’s work continues, and I am confident that, together, we will continue our advancement toward the goals articulated by our Board of Trustees Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Notre Dame: A Strategic Framework (2021)—increasing representation, strengthening a culture of inclusion and belonging, institutional accountability, being a force for good in the world, and commitment of adequate resources to change-related initiatives. As always, we look forward to your partnership and support.
Sincerely,
(The Rev. Canon) Hugh R. Page, Jr., DMin, PhD, LHD
Vice President for Institutional Transformation and Advisor to the President
Professor of Theology and Africana Studies
Originally published by at transformation.nd.edu on June 28, 2024.