Sterling Divinity Quadrangle showing Marquand Chapel

Office of Community Engagement

Office

By history, intention, and design, the Yale Divinity School community embraces a wide range of Christian traditions. Committed to serving church and world, it also welcomes people of various religious and nonreligious traditions, drawing wide the circle to include myriad perspectives.

Seeking to foster the knowledge and love of God through critical engagement with the traditions of the Christian churches, the Divinity School upholds the value of broad inclusivity and diversity in our academic, worship, and communal life.

We celebrate the fullness of race and color; denominational, political, theological, and cultural difference; the range of expressions of sexual and gender identity; and the varied voices that come with age, life experience, national and community service, and socioeconomic status.

In ecumenical conversation and in the space created that crosses traditionally entrenched positions, profound educational value is gained and diverse perspectives are presented.

To this end, we foster a sense of community through our academic, social, and spiritual practices. At the core of our intention is the deliberate encouragement of conversation across the lines of difference; attention to offering access to all aspects of our common life; consistent sensitivity to the uniqueness of each person’s background; and particular attentiveness to our words in speech, writing, prayer, and praise.

We value the worth and dignity of every member of the Divinity School community, as we build an environment where inclusivity and diversity are central and consistently affirmed.

The Office of Community Engagement cultivates work environments that build and sustain a culture of belonging. In addition to providing strategic guidance, the Office serves to:

  1. Recommend and apply policy, procedure and structural improvements that remove barriers to student, faculty, and staff success. 
  2. Implement dynamic and intentional programs and initiatives for students, faculty and staff that adequately address the educational and social needs of our campus community.  
  3. Act as the Title VI Discrimination Harassment & Resource Coordinator for YDS with the responsibility to receive concerns and offer advice and guidance related to discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and to facilitate informal resolution.  

The office engages in ongoing assessments to create and sustain a vibrant learning and working environment that is welcoming and supportive of all, as well as a plan that strives to eradicate gaps in student participation and achievement, creating conditions for all members of the YDS community to thrive.

Lynn S. Sullivan

Associate Dean for Community Engagement
(203) 432-4858
lynn.s.sullivan@yale.edu
 

Rahel Mekonnen

Assistant Director, Community Engagement
(203) 432-2589
rahel.mekonnen@yale.edu

Contact Info

oce@yale.edu

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