Our Commitment to Diversity

At a place like Caltech, where so much of our collective identity revolves around the research we complete, it's easy to forget: Our individuality makes this place special.

Your culture, gender, race, religion, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation are all among the factors that make you, you—and us, us. When we bring those perspectives and experiences together, Caltech becomes stronger. And so do you, as a person, a colleague, and a soon-to-be professional.

Caltech's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Caltech's institutional mission to "expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education" is linked directly to the Institute's commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. Diversity, of perspective, lived experience, and background, is a critical contributor to excellence, inspiring better science and more inclusive technology. Further, an equitable, inclusive, and accessible institutional environment ensures that all individuals with the interest and talent can find belonging in, contribute to, and thrive in an engaging intellectual community.

Read our statement of commitment of mission-based values, how Caltech's mission is realized, and the organizational structures to support diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Where we're at

We're proud of our efforts to build an inclusive, representative community. The numbers above are a snapshot we've made of our progress transforming the face of Caltech. You can see other statistics here.

Where we want to be

That quote comes from a letter sent by Caltech leaders to our campus community following the murder of George Floyd. We've made progress in many areas, but we know we have more work to do. You can read about our progress on that front here, but these are a few of the things we consider most important:

First-Year Success Research Institute: Caltech challenges every student. It can be an even steeper hill to climb for students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds who may be the first in their families to attend college. This summer and academic year-long program provides a no-stress introduction to Caltech and helps students understand the resources available to them.

Diversity Outreach Fund: The path to STEM—let alone Caltech—begins way before the college hunt. Through this effort, we're working to increase awareness and understanding of science and engineering at area pre-K, elementary, middle and high schools.

Resources

Every Techer shares a love of STEM. But it takes more than that to feel like campus is also home. These resources provide guidance and support, as well as the simple comfort of meeting somebody like you.

• Caltech Center for Inclusion & Diversity (CCID): CCID works with the entire Caltech community—students, faculty, and staff—to provide education, advocacy and allyship.
• The Caltech Y: For more than a century, this student-led service organization has encouraged the social, ethical, and cultural growth of our student community.
• Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS): Students with disabilities shouldn't be students at a disadvantage. This office makes every reasonable effort to provide academic adjustments and accommodations to students with known disabilities.
• Religious Life: On-campus groups and several nearby houses of worship can support your spiritual growth.
• Women Mentoring Women: Provide support for Caltech undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc women as they negotiate their academic, professional, and personal development.

Student efforts

Caltech students aren't waiting for change to happen. They're making it themselves. Student groups play a vital role in building a more inclusive community on campus. Organizations such as Black Scientists & Engineers of Caltech (BSEC), Indigenous People in STEM, and the Caltech Latino Association of Students in Engineering and Sciences (CLASES) are among dozens of campus diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.