Diversity, Power Dynamics, and Social Justice (DPDS) Seal

Students who graduate with a DPDS Seal approach diversity, power dynamics, and social justice from a variety of lenses while at the same time curating their learning to suit their interests and career/personal goals. The civic-engagement-designated courses, DPDS-focused internships, or “study away” semester will increase students’ learning beyond the traditional classroom walls. These experiences combine study and practice, broaden a student’s intercultural understanding, offer them an opportunity to engage directly with diverse individuals and communities, and allow them to critically engage with power dynamics and social justice work outside of the classroom, while diversifying their resume. 

Both required elements provide students with knowledge and insights into the power dynamics and social justice work that mark our diverse communities and the ability to link experiences to critical examination of social and political structures and institutions and exploration of the accomplishments of diverse individuals and communities. 

Students will also gain skills and confidence to communicate with people and communities different from their own, and to articulate the assets and needs of the diverse communities to which they belong. Students will gain a deeper understanding of diversity, power dynamics, and social justice and local and global challenges along with the ability to communicate and collaborate more easily across cultural and social boundaries, while contributing to social justice in our increasingly diverse communities. 

Students must fulfill the requirements of each of the two criteria below to achieve the DPDS Seal. All credits and activities must be completed while enrolled in a degree program at Salem State. If a transfer student wants to enroll in the program, previous courses will be assessed for transfer credit for the DPDS Seal and all additional requirements must be completed while at Salem State. 

Criterion I: DPDS-Designated Coursework (9 credits) 

Goal: Students will engage with rich academic subject matter and extend accomplishment of the DPDS goals through DPDS-designated courses. 

Students choose 9 credits of DPDS-designated courses. Transfer credit for DPDS-designated courses may be used for this criterion. 

Criterion II: Community-Based DPDS Experience 

Goal: Students will participate in at least two meaningful and sustained experiential engagements with diversity, power dynamics, and social justice. These experiences must take place over multiple semesters. Experiential engagements with diversity, power dynamics, and social justice are those in which the student engages in any of the following. Paid internship experiences are accepted and encouraged to fulfill this criterion. Each experience concludes with the reflective writing or interview. 

Sustained volunteering or community service. Sustained volunteering or community service entails approximately 50 hours of community service at a single community organization or entity whose mission focuses on diversity, power dynamics, and social justice. 

Internship. Student completes an internship with a group or employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and social justice. The internship may be, but does not need to be, credit-bearing. 

Study Away. Short-term faculty-led trips, summer programs, or semester or year-long study away programs that involve students in diverse communities and/or in addressing power dynamics and working for social justice. 

Leadership- DPDS leadership takes many forms. Leadership experiences include organizing a community or campus event, creating, or leading a community or campus club or organization, and/or participation in student government. 

Administration of the DPDS Seal 

Any student in good academic and disciplinary standing may pursue the DPDS Seal. 

Interested students will register for the DPDS Seal through the Faculty Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for Equity, Education, and Belonging. 

The Faculty Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion will serve as an advisor for the DPDS Seal, monitor students’ progress through the Seal requirements and report students’ completion of the Seal to the Registrar’s Office with accompanying documentation scanned into the students’ OnBase accounts. The Office of the Registrar will verify and affix the Seal on a student’s transcript. 

To apply for the Global Engagement Seal, please fill out the DPDS Intake Form and the Faculty Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Monica Leisey, will contact you.