On Campus
The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion offers resources and hosts events across the UT Southwestern campus. Whether we are conducting activities, leading a workshop, hosting a luncheon, or sponsoring a speaker for a Diversity Lunch and Learn, you will find culture and diversity celebrated throughout our campus. Please explore the following examples of how we support our students on campus.
Enhancing Success Through Education
We have intentionally woven unconscious bias training into our curriculum to promote diversity and inclusion. Further, we promote learning opportunities that will contribute to student success through the following events:
Diversity Lunch and Learn Series:
Key topics:
- Unconscious Bias
- Imposter Syndrome
- Practicing Your Faith in Health Care
- Understanding Health Care Needs of the LGBTQ+ Community
- Inclusion and Pride: LGBTQ+ Diversity and the Scientific Enterprise
- Decoding Emotions Using Brain-Wide Spatiotemporal Dynamics
- Research and Racism
Course on Health Care in Underserved Communities
Contact the office for details about educational opportunities and events.
Mentoring Support
Through the Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion, we strive to offer connection and relationship for students of diverse backgrounds with a wide variety of faculty, staff, and students. Examples of mentorship programs include Gotcha Covered Mentoring Program, M-Squared, and LGBTQ Mentoring Programs.
Underrepresented minority students currently enrolled at UT Southwestern can take advantage of our minority mentoring program, which assists students in identifying a mentor to help guide them through their medical school years. Among other things, mentors can help:
- Advise students on decisions concerning summer programs and interest groups
- Advise students on professional and career issues
- Broaden perspectives, expectations, and behaviors
- Develop strategies for exam preparation
- Identify resources for learning and career development
- Support and encourage learning on an ongoing basis
Mentors serve a critical role in graduate education and they are vital in the training of the next generation of intellectual leaders. Southwestern Graduate School defines the role of a mentor as someone who will teach, train, encourage, counsel, and support a graduate student for the purpose of promoting that student’s professional and personal development.
Mentorship is an essential part of health professions training. All students are assigned a faculty mentor upon the start of their program. Mentorship offers a means to foster an inclusive learning environment and empower students to become autonomous leaners. The School of Health Professions faculty mentors serve as guides to support student’s professional and personal growth throughout the academic curriculum and clinical training.
How do I get a mentor?
If you are a UT Southwestern student, dawn.cureton@utsouthwestern.edu the Diversity and Inclusion Office to learn how to obtain a mentor.
Professional Development Experiences
We strive to develop programs and activities that support students in their professional and educational development to help them become the best researchers and medical professionals they can be. Below are a few examples of professional development activities the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion offers to our students.
- Diversity Lunch and Learn Series
Our monthly Diversity Lunch and Learn Series covers topics suggested by our students. Examples of recent topics include health policy, imposter syndrome, and immigration law. Lunch is provided and you just join us for some good discussion.
- Unconscious Bias / Implicit Bias Training
Annually through the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, training that focuses on Unconscious Bias/Implicit Bias Training. The sessions allow attendees to understand various bias, their own bias and how to eliminate them. In addition, the Student Diversity and Inclusion faculty conduct training for various committees on the UT Southwestern community including admission committees and search committees.
- LGBTQ+ Ally Training
The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion partners with the Resource Center to conduct LGBTQ+ Ally Training at each school. Ally training allows for attendees to familiarize themselves with LGBTQ+ terms, ask questions and learn how to be supportive. In addition, the office conducts Safe Zone training for faculty and staff.
- Interview Readiness Preparedness Dinner for MS4s
Geared toward fourth-year medical students, we host a dinner to help prepare students for residency interviews. We discuss the dos and don’ts of interviewing, proper attire and etiquette, and how to handle interview stress and anxiety. Students can also sign up for Mock Residency Interviews to be held at a later date.
- Mock Quals for Graduate Students
To help them prepare for qualifying exams, students work with more advanced graduate students and do “mock quals” that simulate the oral exam in which students will defend their research projects.
- Financial Literacy
Whether just starting your educational experience or on the tail end, there are various financial literacy presentations hosted by our office. Students will learn budget management, loan repayment, and discover apps and tools to assist with money management. We partner with financial experts on campus and in the community.
LGBTQ+ Support
LGBTQ+ events and activities include:
- National Coming Out Day Celebration
- PRIDE Month Celebrations
- Transgender Day of Remembrance
- Pride Parade Bunch
LGBTQ+ organizations include:
Students who identify as LGBTQ+ can find an inclusive environment that is warm and welcoming, with supportive programming to enhance the student experience at UT Southwestern.
Social and Cultural Events
We always find time to add enjoyment to the students’ lives with social and cultural events. Whether it’s celebrating a holiday, hosting a cultural luncheon, or even just having an ice cream break, students enjoy downtime from the stressors of school.
