Inside UCR

2026-27 Chancellor’s Making Excellence Inclusive (MEI) Diversity Certificate

Mon, 08/10/2026 - 12:00
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
August 10, 2026

Faculty  and Staff,

Elevate your professional growth and champion inclusive excellence at UC Riverside.

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, in partnership with the Office of the Chancellor and UCR Human Resources, invites UCR staff and campus partners to apply for the 2026–2027 Chancellor’s Making Excellence Inclusive (MEI) Diversity Certificate Program.

This comprehensive, nine-month professional development program guides participants through interactive learning activities designed to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion into everyday practices across our campus. Built on the principle that real learning happens through practical application, MEI empowers you to transform knowledge into actionable campus impact.

Program Components

Participants move through a structured series of core learning modules throughout the academic year:

  • Interactive Workshops: Led by subject matter authorities representing a broad cross-section of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics.

  • Peer Discussion Sessions: Collaborative spaces to reflect, engage in critical conversation, and share real-world perspectives with colleagues across campus.

  • Capstone Project: Develop an innovative, practical project designed to address specific diversity topics or operational enhancements within your unit or the wider university.

  • Final Presentation: Share your capstone insights and demonstrate your understanding of inclusive excellence at the cohort graduation.

Who Should Apply & Eligibility

The MEI Diversity Certificate Program is designed for UCR campus employees seeking to deepen their leadership and equity skills.

  • Eligibility: Must be a UCR employee who has completed their initial probationary period.

  • Department Endorsement: Requires approval from your direct supervisor, as sessions occur during regular work hours.

  • Cost: $0 (Free of charge to participants and departments).

  • Professional Development Hours: Qualifies toward allotted professional development hours per Local Procedure 50.

  • Note: A similar opportunity will be available to graduate students in spring 2027.

How to Apply

Schedule

  • Session 1: Thursday, October 15, 2026, 1pm - 5pm VIA IN PERSON
  • Session 2: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 1pm - 5pm VIA ZOOM
  • Session 3: Thursday, December 17, 2026, 1pm - 5pm  VIA ZOOM
  • Session 4: Thursday, January 21, 2027, 1pm - 5pm VIA IN PERSON
  • Session 5: Thursday, February, 18, 2027, 1pm - 5pm VIA ZOOM
  • Session 6: Thursday, March 18, 2027, 1pm - 5pm VIA ZOOM
  • Session 7: Thursday, April 15, 2027, 1pm - 5pm VIA ZOOM
  • Session 8: Thursday, May 20, 2027, 1pm - 5pm VIA ZOOM
  • Session 9: Thursday, June 17, 2027, 1pm - 5pm VIA IN PERSON

Attendance Requirement

Active participation is required to earn the certificate. Because sessions are cumulative, participants may miss no more than one (1) of the nine scheduled program sessions.

Spaces are limited to foster a high-engagement, collaborative cohort environment. Early application is strongly encouraged.