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DEI Resources

W&M Campus-Wide DEI Resources 
Events and Programs
Reporting bias or discrimination at W&M: 
Name/pronouns: 

Gender inclusive restroom map at W&M 

Gender Inclusive and Accessible Restrooms at VIMS (map coming soon!):

  • Wilson House
  • Abrahamson House
  • Davis Hall
  • Acuff Center
  • Facilities Management 
  • Clayton House
  • Fisheries (Nunnally)
  • Field Support Center

Map of Nursing Stations at VIMS (coming soon!)

Local Family Planning and Reproductive Services 


Resources for People with non-US Citizenship:
  • U.S. Citizenship Application | Apply for a US Citizenship following these 10 steps.
  • General Requirements for Acquisition of Citizenship at Birth | From the US. Citizenship and Immigration Services states “a person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth, to include a person born to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe”.
  • Passport for U.S. Born Baby | The passport application form and additional information may be found at the U.S. Department of State website. Instructions for the U.S. Passport Application, including the Requirements for Children section are available on the site.
  • Office of International Education | Supports the greater internationalization of ESF through the development and delivery of services and programs that help international students, scholars, faculty and staff accomplish their academic and professional goals.
Marine Science-Related Communities

  • Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) | Founded by four female shark researchers, MISS promotes diversity and inclusion in shark science and encourages gender minorities of color to push through barriers and contribute knowledge in marine science.
  • Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science (MIAZS) | MIAZS was founded by two women who are professional aquarists and researchers. They aim to promote diversity and inclusion in the aquarium and zoo sciences by countering the financial and social barriers that disproportionately prevent racial and ethnic minorities from entering and flourishing in these fields.
  • Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA) | MIA aims to to educate minority women about the environmental benefits provided by local & global aquaculture in order to promote a more diverse, inclusive aquaculture industry
  • Minorities in Polar Research | An inclusive network of racial and ethnic minorities and allies in the polar research community
LGBTQIA+ Resources 
W&M Resources: 
Marine Science-Specific Resources:
  • Pride in Polar Research (PiPR) | PiPR connects and supports marginalized queer individuals and communities in Polar Research and creates resources for Polar Research organizations and institutions to better engage and serve LGBTQIA+ people.
State Resources:
National Resources:

Asian/Pacific Islander Resources
W&M Resources:
Marine Science-Specific Resources:
State Resources:
  • Virginia Asian American Advisory Board | Community resources for Asian Americans in VA
  • Indian Association of Virginia | A nonprofit organization committed to facilitate different events to cater for the individual & professional development of the members of Indian community from Metro Richmond & Tri-cities area in Virginia
  • The Asian American Society of Central Virginia | An organization established to promote unity, harmony, and diversity in the Central Virginia Region. Through various cultural celebrations and active participation in various community events and initiatives, AASoCV raises awareness and recognition of Asian heritage and promotes cultural diversity in the region.
  • Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce | The primary advocate for the interests of the Asian American business community in the Mid-Atlantic
National Resources: 
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice | The Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a political advocacy group to advance civil human rights for Asian Americans and to build a social and equitable world for all. 
  • Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) | The Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund is the first legal rights organization on the East Coast serving Asian Americans. It was founded by a group of lawyers, law students and community activists who believed that the law should be used as a tool to achieve social and economic justice for Asian Americans and all Americans
  • Asian Pacific Islander Community |  Increases members' awareness of, knowledge about, and appreciation for issues unique to Asian American, Desi, and Pacific Islander professionals working in higher education and student affairs

Black/African American Resources
W&M Resources:
Marine Science-Specific Resources:
  • Black in Geoscience | A group of volunteer Black scientists and allies that aims to acknowledge, amplify, and support the work of Black earth and planetary scientists from around the world.
  • Black in Marine Science (BIMS) | Black In Marine Science started as a week to highlight and amplify Black voices in the field and encourage younger generations, while also shedding light on the lack of diversity in marine science. After the harassment of Black birder Christian Cooper and #BlackBirdersWeek the need for #BlackinMarineScienceWeek was evident. It started with a tweet from Dr. Tiara Moore and grew to a team of organizers putting together an online event. 
  • Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science (BWEEMS) | BWEEMS hopes to create a crucial platform that offers Black women scientists mentors and role models.
State Resources:
National Resources: 
  • ColorComm | ColorComm is an essential organization for women of color in all areas of communications including Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Advertising Print Media, Broadcast, Digital and more.
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) | The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
  • National Black Justice Commission | NBJC is America's leading national Black LGBT civil rights organization focused on federal public policy. The mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC provides leadership at the intersection of national civil rights groups and LGBT organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of the African American LGBT community.
  • National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) | The National Council of Negro Women is an assembly of national African-American women’s organizations and community-based sections. Founded in 1935, the NCNW’s mission is to lead, develop and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities.
  • National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition | Advocacy and education organization for Black gay men
  • Zuna Institute | Advocacy organization for Black lesbians
Native American/First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Resources
W&M Resources:
  • W&M American Indian Resource Center | Works in partnership with descendant communities and tribal members from Virginia and around the United States on topics of interest and importance to tribal members, students and faculty
State Resources:
National Resources: 
  • Association of American Indian Affairs | The AAIA has played an integral part in drafting a number of important laws, including the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and the Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act.
  • National Indian Council on Aging | The mission of NICOA is to advocate for improved comprehensive health, social services and economic well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders. In addition to providing service through several grants from agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NICOA operates as a National Sponsor of the federal Senior Community Service Employment program (SCSEP) in fourteen states through a grant from the Department of Labor.
  • Native American Disability Law Center | The Law Center's mission is to advocate for the rights of Native Americans with disabilities in the Four Corners area and ensure they are enforced, strengthened and brought in harmony with their communities. This private, non-profit works to ensure that Native Americans with disabilities have access to justice and are empowered and equal members of their communities and nations.
  • American Indian Higher Education Consortium |The American Indian Higher Education Consortium is the collective spirit and unifying voice of our nation's 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)—a unique community of tribally and federally chartered institutions working to strengthen tribal nations and make a lasting difference in the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • American Indian Science and Engineering Society | A national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.
  • Native American Rights Fund | The mission of the Native American Rights Fund is to preserve tribal existence, protect tribal natural resources and promote Native American human rights.
  • Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations | Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations (WEWIN) exists to provide Native women with the knowledge, support, and resources necessary to achieve success in their personal and professional lives. The WEWIN Annual Conference is an opportunity for Native women to engage in professional renewal, inspire others and network.   
  • National Indian Child Care Association | The National Indian Child Care Association is a representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the 266 tribal CCDF grantees that represent Tribal communities across the nation. Tribal child care and early childhood programs work hard to provide children, families, and communities with high quality child care services all across Indian Country.

Latino/Latina/Latinx/Hispanic Resources 
W&M Resources:
Marine Science-Specific Resources:
  • Latinx in Marine Science | A community for Latinx Marine Scientist to network, collaborate, and promote Latinx participation in the sciences.
State Resources:
  • Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations | VACOLAO’s mission is to serve as a working alliance among organizations in Virginia that serve or support the interest of the Latino communities in order to empower the community and secure equal treatment, equal opportunity and equal representation for Latinos/Hispanics in Virginia.
National Resources: 

Jewish/Semitic Resources
W&M Resources:
State Resources:
National Resources: 

Resources for People with Disabilities
W&M Resources:
State Resources:
National Resources: 
  • International Disability Alliance | The International Disability Alliance (IDA) is an alliance of eight global and six regional organizations of persons with disabilities.
  • United Cerebral Palsy | United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.

Resources for Women
W&M Resources:
Marine Science-Specific Resources:
  • Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) | Founded by a group of women at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), SWMS brings together marine scientists of all career levels to discuss the diverse experiences of women in marine science, celebrate the research done by women in the field, and promote the visibility of women in the marine science community. We even have a VIMS Chapter!
  • The Sirene Project | The Sirene Project is a platform that highlights and connects female conservationists from all walks of life, to inspire one another, exchange ideas and to be a resource for the next generation of ocean conservationists.
  • Women in Polar Science (WiPS) | WiPS aims to connect women in polar science and inspire others to become polar scientists!
  • Women in the Arctic and Antarctic (WiAA) | WiAA was created to encourage free and accessible international networking and information sharing among Polar researchers and all those involved in Polar knowledge, communication and representation. It highlights women in Polar research and representation, the topics and locations that they work and live in while researching, experiencing, and discussing the North and the Polar Regions, and tries to bring attention to the wide range of resources available to facilitate current and future research and engagement. 
State Resources:
National Resources: 
  • American Association of University Women (AAUW) | American Association of University Women advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.
  • American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) | The American Medical Women’s Association is an organization which functions at the local, national and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women’s health.
  • League of Women Voters of the United States (LWV) | The League of Women Voters of the United States, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy.
  • YWCA USA | The YWCA is one of the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organizations in the world. The YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
  • National Organization for Women (NOW) |The largest organization of feminist activists in the United States, NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Since its founding in 1966, NOW’s goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women.

Veteran/Military Resources
W&M Resources:
State Resources:
National Resources: 
  • American Veterans for Equal Rights |  A non-profit and non-partisan Veterans Service Organization of active, reserve, and veteran service members dedicated to full and equal rights and equitable treatment for all present and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • VA/GI Bill Help |  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • VA for Vets | Gateway to VA Careers for veterans
  • Feds Hire Vets | Works across the Federal Government to increase the number of veterans, transitioning military service members, and their families employed and retained in the civil service
  • Career One Stop | Website for veterans looking for military transition resources, continuing education, job search help, unemployment, and other benefits
  • My Next Move  | Career Help for Veterans

Childcare/Pregnancy/Lactation Resources
W&M Resources:
State Resources:
National Resources: 

Resources for Low-Income Students
W&M Resources:
State Resources:
National Resources: 

Resources for First-Generation Americans
W&M Resources:

Resources for International Students
W&M Resources:

Interfaith Resources
W&M Resources:
State Resources:

Resources for Neurodivergent Students and General Wellness
W&M Resources:
State Resources:
National Resources: 


Resources for People with Incarcerated Loved Ones
State Resources:
  • Assisting Families of Inmates | The mission of AFOI is to support underserved families of the incarcerated by providing meaningful visitation, family assistance and children’s programs that achieve positive, evidence-based outcomes
National Resources: 

Updated by Jainita Patel (8/30/22)

Created by Jainita Patel (6/21/22)