Oberlin Center for DEI Innovation & Leadership
Championing the next generation of DEI leaders and changemakers.
Photo credit: Alaina Battle
Photo credit: Bob Handelman
Living Our Values. Pressing Forward.
Oberlin has long been recognized as a leader in access, equity, and social change. The Center for DEI Innovation & Leadership extends this legacy into a new era—connecting historic commitments with contemporary practice. We convene scholars, practitioners, students, and community partners to ask hard questions, surface new ideas, and build structures that advance equity across campus. From classroom experiences and staff development to community partnerships and public thought leadership, the center is where Oberlin’s DEI work comes together and moves forward.
Signature Initiatives
The center advances its mission through a portfolio of signature initiatives that cultivate leadership, deepen learning, and spark innovation.
Changemakers Undergraduate Fellows Program
The Changemakers Undergraduate Fellows Program supports cohorts of student leaders as they pursue research, creative work, and community-based projects focused on equity and justice. Fellows receive mentoring, funding, and a structured learning community that helps them translate values into practice.
Photo credit: Bob Handelman
The North Star Podcast
The North Star podcast amplifies voices from across campus and beyond—spotlighting conversations about race, equity, leadership, and the future of higher education. It serves as a platform for storytelling, critique, and imaginative thinking.
The Four Pillars of the Center
The center’s work is organized around four interconnected pillars that together support a thriving DEI ecosystem at Oberlin.
Research
Faculty, staff, and student research that examines equity, access, and institutional change. Through mini-grants, collaborative projects, and research spotlights, the center amplifies inquiry that leads to more just policies and practices.
Community
Partnerships, mentorship, and programs that connect Oberlin to local, regional, and global communities.
We foster relationships that sustain students, support alumni, and link the college and conservatory to broader movements for justice.
Communication & Thought Leadership
Public scholarship, media, and storytelling that share Oberlin’s DEI work with the world.
Through podcasts, lectures, op-eds, and digital storytelling, the center elevates perspectives that shape the future of equity in higher education.
Education & Training
Workshops, professional learning, and micro-credentials for students, faculty, and staff. We design and curate learning opportunities that build shared language, deepen skills, and support culturally responsive practice across campus.