Data Resources

CUPA-HR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Maturity Index

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What does an institution need to have in place to create and sustain:

  • A diverse workforce?
  • Equitable hiring and compensation practices?
  • An inclusive work environment for all?

In higher education, attention to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts is often focused on the student population. CUPA-HR's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Maturity Index is designed to help higher ed institutions take meaningful steps to develop their efforts around staff and faculty. The DEI Maturity Index is not a climate survey; it’s a tool for assessing systemic (institutional) progress along a continuum of practices that help create and sustain an inclusive campus community.

About the Index

To create the index, CUPA-HR sought expert input regarding the key factors that underlie an institution's progress in its efforts to impact campus and workplace culture by fostering individual commitment to and engagement in building a diverse, equitable and inclusive community. In 2022, we analyzed the scores of more than 1,200 responses to the original index and identified four key factors that underlie progress in these areas:

  • Scope of Efforts
  • Investment
  • Equity and Representation
  • Recruitment and Retention

We then used those findings to revise the index with a focus on the areas that are most important in distinguishing successful efforts to establish and support these values. It takes approximately 10-20 minutes to complete.

How Does It Work?

This survey should be completed by individuals or teams of individuals who are familiar with your institution's efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion. This usually includes individuals in HR or diversity offices or campus leaders who supervise staff. Some institutions have had leaders take the assessment separately, and then used any differences in their results as a starting point for a larger conversation. This is encouraged, as it will help you build consensus.

New: Custom Service for Aggregating Data at Your Institution

The index is free for you to use. However, CUPA-HR has received many requests for a service that customizes results based on feedback from leaders across an institution. Therefore, we have developed a service that provides the following:

  • Communicates and administers the index to the pre-identified leaders (and professionals whose work is closely aligned with DEI efforts) at your institution within a specific survey window
  • Aggregates results across those surveyed
  • Provides scores, areas of strength, areas that need progress, and specific, custom feedback on all four indicators based on your aggregated results

If you’re interested in this custom service, contact the research team at [email protected] for pricing and more details.

For other resources to support the recommendations provided in the index, visit CUPA-HR's resources for creating inclusive communities page.