About

The Office for Access, Community and Excellence (ACE) in the College of Natural Science is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every individual can learn, grow, and thrive. Guided by the principles of access, community, and excellence, ACE works to expand opportunities, build a sense of belonging, and strengthen academic and research endeavors through diverse perspectives. ACE works to ensure that students, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds can fully participate in and contribute to the life of the college and plays a vital role in sustaining the college’s mission of knowledge, discovery, and innovation for the common good. 

Our Purpose 

At the core of ACE’s work are three guiding pillars: 

• Access — Expanding opportunities and reducing barriers so that students, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds can fully participate in the life of the college.
• Community— Building an inclusive and welcoming culture where individuals feel seen, valued, and connected.
• Excellence — Strengthening our academic and research endeavors by embracing diverse perspectives and ensuring all members have the resources they need to succeed.

Our Commitments 

• Equity as a process: We recognize that not everyone begins from the same place. Our work is grounded in creating fair systems and practices that account for differences and foster success.
• Inclusion as action: We move beyond representation to ensure authentic belonging and meaningful participation.
• Shared accountability: Faculty, staff, students, and leadership all have a role to play in advancing equity and belonging.
• Continuous growth: We use data, reflection, and feedback to guide progress and adapt our initiatives.
• Collaboration and dialogue: We partner across the college and university to listen deeply, respond effectively, and co-create solutions.

What We Do 

• Offer workshops, dialogues, and events that build awareness and skills around access and inclusive excellence.
• Partner with departments to embed inclusive practices into teaching, mentoring, hiring, and evaluation.
• Provide programs and resources that support student success, well-being, and professional development.
• Amplify college-wide and university-wide initiatives that advance equity and belonging.
• Track progress and assess impact to ensure that our work creates meaningful change. 

Why It Matters 

The College of Natural Science is at its best when all members can contribute fully and thrive. By promoting access, nurturing community, and striving for inclusive excellence, the Office for Access, Community and Excellence will strengthen the college’s mission to use discovery, innovation, and our collective ingenuity to advance knowledge across the sciences.