Augustana welcomes first director of disability services
Kam Williams has joined Augustana as the first director of disability services.
In 2016, Augustana’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was created to build a deeper, wider sense of belonging within our campus community. Since then, Augustana has evolved to meet the changing needs of students from diverse cultural, socio-economic and academic backgrounds, so that all may succeed.
Our entire campus community is stronger for it. In fact, “belonging” is not optional at Augustana. It is necessary to uphold foundational values and goals of this college: teaching and learning that lead to student success — on campus and after graduation — and fulfillment of our college mission to educate all students for a diverse and changing world.
Today, 10 years later, the office has transformed into the Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection, a hub for relationships and programming that empower students of many cultures, identities and ability levels.
“Ten Years of Becoming” does not mean we have arrived. It means we have built momentum at Augustana. This is a moment to pause and reflect on this evolution.
Timeline: 2016-present
2016-2017 | Conception
To support Diversity and Inclusion, one of four strategic directions of the Augustana 2020 Strategic Plan (approved by the Augustana College Board of Trustees in 2014), the college develops new practices and resources, including an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Steve Bahls, Augustana College president 2003-2022, August 2017
“We can all be proud of the Augustana community for the steps we’ve taken to embrace diversity and inclusion, though we still have much progress to make. The values of our college and our community have led to Augustana’s Five Faith Commitments. The first of these commitments is Interfaith Engagement, and the second is Social Justice. I also would point you to our Augustana 2020 Strategic Plan, which includes the college’s strategic direction on diversity and inclusion.”
2018-2020 | Foundation
Augustana welcomes inaugural vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, Dr. Monica Smith.
Dr. Monica Smith, inaugural vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, Feb. 2018
“I am excited to join Augustana College as the college continues to progress toward achieving its strategic goals. The college has already laid important groundwork to foster a fertile environment for inclusion and diversity. My goal is to build on that foundation to move us toward a more inclusive Augustana.”
New $1.3M TRIO program for students with high financial need
Augustana College will launch the TRIO Scholars Program in early 2021 to bolster the academic, graduation and career success of students.
2021-2023 | Momentum
President Steven C. Bahls retires; Andrea K. Talentino becomes the 9th president of Augustana College.
Andrea Talentino, Augustana College president 2022-present, June 2023
“A diverse community is one of the key ways in which we accomplish our mission of preparing students for lives of leadership in a diverse and changing world. We remain mindful that the vibrancy and health of our community, and that of the broader world, requires that we continue to expand educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds.”
Message from the President: Augustana’s best days are ahead
The first time I wrote for the college magazine, I reflected on a walk I’d taken across the campus. Were I to retrace those steps today, I would see a different campus.
College joins national celebration of 'First-Gen' students
National First-Generation College Student Day Nov. 8 celebrates students who will be the first generation in their family to graduate from college.
New York Times names Augustana top college for economic diversity
The New York Times’ College Access Index list ranks the most-selective universities in order of economic diversity.
Class of 2023 gift creates You Belong Here Lounge mural
Members of the Class of 2023 raised funds to benefit the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity.
Augustana among top schools helping low-income students get ahead
Augustana College is a good investment for low-income students, according to "The Colleges Where Low-Income Students Get the Highest ROI," a new report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
First APEP student earns diploma
Augustana celebrated nearly 500 graduates in May at commencement, including David Staples — the college's first graduate to have benefited from the Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP).
2024-Present | Evolution
Dr. Gauri Pitale becomes Augustana’s (then) new vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, now vice president for culture and connection.
Dr. Gauri Pitale, vice president for culture and connection, Jan. 2024
“My goal is to cultivate a sense of belonging among all members of the Augustana community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners, and to further strengthen Augustana’s vision of becoming an institution that values and celebrates the rich tapestry of its community.”
President's statement on diversity, equity inclusion (DEI)
The mission of Augustana College is grounded in "the inclusive nature of Lutheran education." Martin Luther believed that education should be available to all regardless of gender, age, wealth, or social status. We can add, from our experience over the 165 years of the college’s existence, that education reflecting America’s and even the world’s diversity is also important.
Steve Wehling selected as Augustana College civil rights director, chief Title IX coordinator
Augustana College announced the selection of Steve Wehling to serve as civil rights director and chief Title IX coordinator. Wehling will oversee the college's civil rights policies and lead initiatives to foster a more inclusive campus.
Making Augustana Possible for students
Augustana Possible, a new financial aid program, enables the college to meet 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need. Since being launched two years ago, it has attracted millions of dollars in donor support. Find out how it works.
Augustana ranked No. 4 in enrolling international students
Augustana College once again moved up the ranks in the federal 2025 Open Doors Report among baccalaureate colleges for the number of international students it enrolls. Augustana's 2024-25 ranking is now #4 in the nation.
Augustana's inaugural Culture Houses Block Party unites campus in celebration of diversity
Augustana College's first-ever Culture Houses Block Party, held Sept. 18, brought together students, faculty and staff for a vibrant celebration of diversity and culture.
Augustana's Tredway Library awarded for diversity excellence
Tredway Library was featured in Insight into Diversity magazine's March 2025 issue for receiving the 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) award.
Augustana awarded fifth HEED recognition for diversity excellence
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine's Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. This is the fifth time the college has earned this national recognition.
Augustana expands Ashley Allen’s role to executive director of inclusion and intercultural experiences
Ashley Allen will advocate for and develop mentoring, advising and cultural programming tailored to Augustana’s diverse student body.
Next steps
The new Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection reflects a shift. Where the previous Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sought to lift up specific groups to build a more inclusive community, starting in 2026 the Office of the VP for Culture and Connection seeks to sustain our equitable community as we continue growth as a whole.
Programming will build connections among the members of our college community, each person with a different identity, cultural background and lived experience. Just as we educate “the whole person” at Augustana, the work of the new office will focus on deepening the sense of belonging for each person within the whole community, strengthening connection through programming that builds identity awareness and intercultural understanding.
Early examples of signature programming:
- Winter Traditions (started late 2025) – including Holidays Around the World (with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services), including interactive exhibits by students and campus groups exploring different cultural traditions
- Cultures in Motion (fall 2026) – exhibitions, performances, workshops and collaborative projects that celebrate diverse identities and creative traditions across campus
The Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection has oversight of the Office of Student Cultural Connection (OSCC), the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) and the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.
Office of Student Cultural Connection
The dynamic “Cultures in Motion” series is just one example of new programming through OSCC, designed to build intercultural engagement campus-wide. Additional examples include:
- Community & Connection Fridays – monthly thematic gatherings that bring together the campus community for an activity or collaboration centered on intercultural learning and belonging
- PACE Mentorship Program – open to all first-year and transfer students who want to explore their identities and start strong at Augustana through community-building connection, and with support from their PACE peer mentors; PACE programming continues all four years:
- Year 1: First-year orientation and yearlong programming
- Year 2: Cross-cultural communication skills
- Year 3: Inclusive Leadership skill development
- Year 4: Launch into adulthood
Office of International Student and Scholar Services
Signature programming in the OISSS also shares a strategic focus on intercultural understanding, especially through deeper integration of global learning across campus. Two new examples from OISSS include:
- Global Pathway to Success (GPS) – year-long experience for first-year and transfer students from other countries, so they may thrive — from early transition, to connections across campus, to practical training sessions, to continued support from Global peer mentors
- Global Engagement Festival – a joyful celebration of Augustana’s rich global diversity, featuring global cuisine, performances and interactive games
The Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection remains grounded in the mission and purpose of Augustana College, advancing our mission to prepare students “for lives of leadership and service in a diverse and changing world.”
Augustana’s Five Faith Commitments also inform the work of the office, especially the commitments to Interfaith Engagement, “celebrating God’s regard for the worth and dignity of all persons,” and Social Justice, developing “a campus community that seeks justice, loves kindness, and acts with love and humility.”
For more about Augustana’s progress over the past century, and accountability to the college mission, see “Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College” (ed. Jane E. Simonsen, Southern Illinois University Press, January 2026).
Timeline: Ten Years of Becoming campaign
July-Aug. 2025 |
Internal brainstorming with the President's Cabinet and DEI Division. |
Sept.-Nov. 2025 |
Stakeholder focus groups (students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors) |
Oct. 2025 |
Final name selected and shared confidentially with the Board of Trustees. |
Nov.-Dec. 2025 |
Final name selected and shared confidentially with internal stakeholders. |
Jan. 2026 |
Public announcement of new name and campaign messaging. |
Spring 2026 |
Full rollout with visuals, story series, and showcase of community partners. |