Skip to main content
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff

Footer quick links

  • Request Info
  • Plan a Visit
  • Apply Now
  • About
    • Campus Map
    • College Profile
    • Community Commitments
    • Consumer Information
    • History of Westmont
    • Institutes & Centers
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Our Commitment to Diversity
    • Ridley-Tree Museum of Art
    • Westmont Magazine
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
      • Apply Now
  • Academics
    • Academic Services
    • Augustinian Scholars Program
    • Academic Opportunities
    • Global Education
    • Majors and Programs
    • Office of the Provost
    • Outcomes
    • Voskuyl Library
    • Consumer Information
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Prospective Students
    • Visit Westmont
    • Financial Aid
    • Admitted Students
    • Confirmed Students
    • Prospective Parents
    • Meet your Counselor
    • Confirm your Place
    • Consumer Information
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
      • Apply Now
  • Student Life
    • Words of Warriors
    • CATlab
    • Living on Campus
    • On Campus Activities
    • Off Campus Activities
    • Our Commitment to Diversity
    • COVE Career Center
    • Ministries
    • Chapel
    • Consumer Information
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
      • Apply Now
  • Giving
    • Why Give?
    • Where to Give
    • How to Give
    • Giving Societies
    • Contact Us
      • Give Today
  • Athletics
  • Research
  • Apply
  • Intercultural and Global Engagement
    • Reflections from the President
    • Commitments and Key Documents
    • College Initiatives
    • Academic Initiatives
    • Co-curricular Initiatives and Impact
    • Policies Addressing Bias and Harassment
    • Research, Reports, and Resources
    • Leadership
    • Admissions and Scholarships

Intercultural and Global Engagement Commitments and Key Documents

Westmont- A Historical Reflection

Westmont began in Los Angeles in 1937 by embracing a distinctive mission as a Christian institution of higher education focused on rigorous academics and a deep love for God. Our commitment to diversity originated with our founders, Ruth Kerr, a diligent and visionary businesswoman with a strong faith, and Wallace Emerson, an intellectual dedicated to combining Christianity with excellent scholarship. They strongly believed in and pursued their passionate quest for educating young men and women for meaningful Christian service in a diverse, multicultural world.  

  • The History of Diversity
    and Global Engagement at Westmont
  • Westmont Persists:
    A Historical Reflection

Diversity is Biblical: We believe that the call to be a diverse community is rooted in scripture and evident in God's creation.

"There was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb." - Revelation 7:9

"God saw all that he had made and it was very good." - Genesis 1:1-31

Diversity is Communal: We believe that diversity can only be expressed in community where we are sharing our distinct gifts, experiences and perspectives.

"There are different kinds of gifts...The body is a unit, though it is made of many parts...if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it..." - 1 Cor. 12:4-31

Diversity is Practical: We believe that we most effectively contribute to and benefit from a globalized society by learning skills that allow us to work, worship and live well and wisely in our world.

"A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another." - Romans 12:4-5


Biblical and Theological Foundations of Diversity

Chapel

The motto of Westmont College—Christus primatum tenens (Christ holding preeminence)—signals our commitment to a vision of the universal sovereignty of Jesus Christ. We are bound to this vision because of our anchoring in the Scriptures, which present Christ as Lord over all creation. Confession of Christ’s preeminence gives Westmont powerful reasons to welcome diversities of gender, ethnicity, class, and culture in its population and programs.

Read full statement on Biblical and Theological Foundations of Diversity

Key Terms and Identity

Diversity Matters

Why Did We Choose Micah 6:8?

Strategic Map

Westmont's strategic map identifies our priorities for diversity and global engagement as follows:

  • Nourish a Sense of Belonging for Students of Color
  • Hire and Retain Diverse Faculty
  • Bolster Recruitment and Retention Strategies (Diversity)
  • Bolster Recruitment and Retention Strategies
  • Hire and Retain Diverse Staff
  • Increase Diversity and Global Engagement Across the College
  • Nourish the Commitment, Culture, and Skills to Thrive as a Diverse Community

To view the complete 2021-2024 Strategic Map, please contact Tim Loomer, Director of Research, Planning, & Implementation at 805-565-6832 or tloomer@westmont.edu.

Footer links menu

  • Request Info
  • Plan a Visit
  • Apply Now

Footer Utility menu

  • Employment
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Emergency Info
  • Feedback
  • Consumer Information

955 La Paz Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108 

805-565-6000

Contact Us

 

Social media menu

©2022
Westmont College - All rights reserved