Claremont Graduate University signed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Diversity No Matter What pledge for higher education on July 20.

The graduate college is the first institution to publicly announce its commitment to inclusivity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on college admissions. It joins a number of universities nationwide in signing the pledge.

“I believe it’s important for us to go on record, not only by signing the NAACP pledge but by publicly sharing our belief in diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of university life: enrollment, hiring, and campus culture,” CGU President Len Jessup wrote in a statement.

During Jessup’s five-year tenure as president, the number of Black, Indigenous, and minority students has grown to 54% of the domestic student population, up from 44% in the year before his arrival. In addition, 63% of tenured or tenure-track faculty hired since 2018 are Black, Indigenous, or minority, as are 43% of board of trustees members.

The university’s strategic plan, approved in March 2020, includes fostering an academic community of inclusive excellence among its five goals. Full plan details are at cgu.edu/about/strategic-plan.

For more information on this announcement, visit info.cgu.edu/equity.