A class meets outside sitting in a circle, with a native American tipi in the background

A Community of Belonging

Carleton’s mission to provide an exceptional undergraduate liberal arts education requires a community of trust and belonging where each individual feels safe and valued. The college community is actively engaged in the work of making Carleton more inclusive, diverse, and equitable.

To achieve our goal of full participation, we are embracing our shared values of mutual respect and curiosity as we go forward, honest reflection and dialogue as we look back, and a deep sense of joy, humor, and grace as we try, fail, and grow as a community.

Alison Byerly

“The equitable and committed community we seek is not an option or an enhancement to the Carleton experience. It is absolutely fundamental to our ability to deliver a quality liberal arts education.”

—Alison Byerly, President
Three students ice skating on the Bald Spot
Two students work together planting trees in the Carleton Arboretum
Professor and students participate in birch bark biting in a classroom

32%

of domestic Carleton students identify as people of color

13%

of Carleton students are first-generation college students

29

countries are represented in the Class of 2025

60%

of Carleton students receive financial aid
 

The education we offer at Carleton is grounded in community. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, departments, offices, and organizations all work toward the goal of making Carleton a community where everyone belongs, and a place that belongs to everyone.

Two students and a professor in a biology lab

Academic Programs

Carleton’s academic departments and programs are engaging in the work of responding to systemic inequities in higher education and at Carleton.

Academic Initiatives

The academic department efforts are still being collected, but a few examples are available now: