Inclusive Excellence
The Office of Inclusive Excellence
The Office of Inclusive Excellence (OIE)
The OIE at the School of Nursing (SON) advances a learning and working environment where belonging, respect, access, and academic excellence are deeply connected. Grounded in the School’s mission to prepare nurses who improve health and promote equity, the OIE supports initiatives that strengthen inclusive teaching, mentoring, student success, community engagement, and culturally responsive practice. Through education, programming, consultation, collaboration, and ongoing reflection, the OIE works with faculty, staff, students, alumni, clinical partners, and community stakeholders to identify barriers, expand opportunity, and foster environments where all members of the SON community can contribute, learn, lead, and thrive.
Our Commitment
The SON is committed to advancing inclusive excellence across teaching, learning, research, practice, and service. We support a community where access, respect, belonging, and opportunity are central to academic and professional success. Through intentional collaboration and continuous improvement, we seek to foster environments that prepare students, faculty, staff, and partners to learn from one another, engage across differences, and contribute to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Supporting Strategic Priorities
The OIE supports the SON’s strategic priorities by advancing practices that strengthen belonging, access, respect, and success across the SON. Our work is aligned with the SON’s commitment to cultural transformation, long-term sustainability, curriculum redesign, and student success. Through collaboration, education, consultation, programming, and continuous improvement, the OIE helps create learning and working environments where faculty, staff, students, clinical partners, and community members can contribute fully and thrive.
Inclusive Excellence Priorities
Culture and Belonging
Support a respectful and collaborative environment that strengthens trust, engagement, and professional growth for faculty, staff, and students.
Access, Opportunity, and Sustainability
Contribute to strategies that expand pathways, support retention, and strengthen the School’s ability to serve changing workforce and community needs.
Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Excellence
Partner with faculty and academic leaders to support curriculum, teaching, and learning practices that prepare nurses to provide responsive, respectful, and evidence-informed care.
Student Success and Professional Formation
Support student belonging, academic progression, leadership development, career readiness, and preparation for practice in diverse healthcare environments.
GW Nursing Inclusive Excellence Council
The GW SON Inclusive Excellence Council has served as an advisory group to support the SON’s efforts to foster belonging, respectful engagement, student success, and inclusive teaching and learning environments. The Council is currently paused as the SON aligns its work with emerging strategic priorities and operational needs. Future opportunities to reengage the Council will be considered as the OIE continues to support collaboration across the SON community and beyond.
- Tools for Students
American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN)
The AAMN focuses on the practice, education, research, and leadership of men in nursing and advancing men’s health. They provide a framework for nurses, as a group, to meet, discuss, and influence factors that affect men as nurses.
Asian American / Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc. (AAPI)
AAPINA serves as the unified voice for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) nurses around the world. AAPINA strives to positively affect the health and well-being of AAPIs and their communities.
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
The GLMA is a group of nurses and nurse allies dedicated to improving health and health care for all LGBTQ individuals and families. Their mission is to facilitate the development and implementation of specific actions to advance LGBTQ health care within nursing practice, research, education, and organizational policy.
National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association (NANAINA)
NANAINA unites American Indian/Alaska Native nurses and those who care for AN/AI people to improve the health and well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native people.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
NAHN is devoted to promoting safe, quality health care delivery to Latino communities and individuals. They recognize excellence among Latino nurses and provide formal and informal mentoring opportunities.
National Black Nurses Association, Inc. (NBNA)
NBNA serves as the professional voice for over 200,000 African American registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students, and retired nurses from the USA, Eastern Caribbean, and Africa. Through their 115 chapters, we provide countless hours of community-based health care services.
National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD)
The NCCSD is the only federally funded national center in the U.S. with information and resources for future and current college students with disabilities, including those in part-time programs and graduate students. They work with students, their families, teachers, professors, and anyone with questions about disability and higher education.
National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA)
The NCEMNA is a unified body advocating for equity and justice in health care. Their vision is to be a leading voice and driving force for ethnic minority populations.
National Leadership Society of First Generation College Students (FirstGen Society)
FirstGen Society unites, empowers, builds confidence, and celebrates first-generation college students and alumni by providing our members with social and leadership opportunities through lifelong fellowship, community, and friendship to achieve excellence together.
Outcare Health
OutCare Health, a 501c3 nonprofit, is leading the charge for LGBTQ+ health equity worldwide, empowering millions of LGBTQ+ individuals with comprehensive resources, support, and education. Their initiatives range from the OutList directory of affirming healthcare providers to mentorship, health equity training, community building, support groups, consulting services, and more. Their vision is to create a world where every LGBTQ+ person has access to quality healthcare and feels empowered to live their healthiest, most authentic life.
Philippine Nurses Association Of America, INC. (PNAA)
The PNAA is a 501 (c) (6) nonprofit professional nursing organization representing 55 chapters with over 5,000+ members. Their mission is to uphold and foster the positive image and welfare of Filipino-American nurses, promote professional excellence, and contribute to significant outcomes in healthcare and society through education, research, and clinical practice.
- Interfaith Meditation Room
Located in Suite 108H of Innovation Hall, the Interfaith Prayer & Meditation Room (The Room) is intended to provide a tranquil, inclusive space for students, faculty, and staff to engage in personal contemplation, prayer, meditation, and reflection. Our goal is to promote understanding and inclusivity and provide a welcoming environment for people of all faiths and backgrounds.
To ensure clarity and understanding for all users of The Room, it is important to provide a comprehensive outline of the hours of operation, rules, regulations, and etiquette to be observed within the facility. This information will help to facilitate a safe and respectful space. Therefore, we kindly request that all users of the The Room adhere to the following guidelines in order to maintain a peaceful and harmonious environment for all.
- Purpose and Scope
The Room, located in 108H within Suite 108 of Innovation Hall at The George Washington University School of Nursing, is intended to provide a tranquil and inclusive space for students, faculty, and staff to engage in personal contemplation, prayer, meditation, and reflection. This guideline governs the utilization of the room and outlines guidelines to ensure respectful and equitable use of the room.
- Hours of Operation
The Room will be accessible from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Users are expected to adhere to the designated hours of operation
- Access and Security
Access to Suite 108 and the room is granted to all School of Nursing community members, including students, faculty, and staff. The side door to Suite 108 (by the hallway to classroom 107) will remain unlocked during the designated hours of operation, and Students are required to use this door to access the room.
- Expectations
The room is primarily intended for personal contemplation, prayer, meditation, and reflection across various religious and spiritual beliefs. Users are expected to maintain a quiet and respectful atmosphere within the room, understanding that the room may be shared by individuals of diverse backgrounds. Users of the room are expected to behave in a respectful and considerate manner. Disruptive activities, including but not limited to loud conversations, music, open flame, or burning of materials with a device or scent-producing substances, are strictly prohibited. Users are advised to silence their electronic devices while within the room.
The room can accommodate a maximum of four individuals. In the event that the room is occupied, kindly wait or locate an alternative area. Users should be considerate of how long they are using the room if others are waiting.
- Personal Belongings
Users are solely responsible for their personal belongings brought into the room. The University is not liable for any loss, theft, or damage to personal items left unattended in the room.
- Religious and Cultural Artifacts
The room is not open to displaying religious and cultural artifacts.
- Compliance
Failure to adhere to this guideline may result in restricted access to the room. The university reserves the right to modify or terminate access to the room based on violations of this guideline.
- Feedback and Concerns
Users are encouraged to provide feedback or voice concerns regarding the utilization of The Room to the Student Services or the Director of Operations. This input will help maintain a positive and inclusive environment within the room.
University Resources for Support, Access, and Belonging
Recognition for Inclusive Excellence in Nursing Education
The SON has been recognized by the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) as a Best School for Men in Nursing, an honor highlighting efforts to support men in nursing education and advance a more representative nursing workforce. This recognition reflects SON’s broader commitment to student success, belonging, professional formation, and excellence in preparing nurses to meet the needs of all communities.
The Common Thread, our GW School of Nursing newsletter dedicated to inclusive excellence, reflects each member of our community as a vital thread, unique in background, experience, and perspective. Our goal is simple, yet important: advancing health, nurturing, and belonging.
In each issue, we will use this space to share resources, highlight the important equity work being done by our faculty, staff, and students, and celebrate the diverse stories that make us who we are. The newsletter is founded on the principle that our community fabric is strongest when we intentionally weave these threads together, creating a vibrant tapestry of belonging.
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