After 10 years of growth in strengthening campus connection and building students’ intercultural skills, Augustana College will evolve its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into the Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection beginning in 2026.

The launch is part of Augustana’s “Ten Years of Becoming” – a reflection on the growth and change since the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was created in 2016. Across conversations with students, faculty and staff, two themes surfaced again and again: students thrive when they feel connected, and when they gain the cultural understanding that prepares them for the world today.

“Over the past 10 years, what the office achieved naturally expanded in reach and depth,” said Dr. Gauri A. Pitale, vice president for culture and connection. “While we have strengthened recruitment and support for international students, U.S. students of color and first gen students, our focus has always been on serving the evolving needs of all students. As those needs have shifted, we have responded by expanding our services to ensure every student can thrive.”

“This work remains grounded in Augustana College’s broader mission to prepare students for leadership and service in a diverse and changing world.”

The Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection will guide three strategic areas of work across campus:

• Cross-Cultural Competence – Build campuswide capacity to engage difference through shared dialogue, intercultural learning and community-building.
• Global Intercultural Experiences – Expand interconnection with a growing international student body and an increase in global learning opportunities for all students.
• Culture and Identity Building – Strengthen a campus culture grounded in identity awareness, inclusive norms and community accountability and in promotion of the college’s policies prohibiting discrimination.

“Our focus is on helping every student flourish, at Augustana and after,” said Augustana President Andrea Talentino. “The Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection strengthens that promise, ensuring our practices reflect both our college’s values and the world that awaits our students.”

For more information about the “Ten Years of Becoming” campaign, contact Dr. Gauri A. Pitale at gauripitale@augustana.edu or 309-794-7602.