Becoming a Culture Change Agent:
Harnessing the Power of
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

BECOMING A CULTURE CHANGE AGENT: HARNESSING THE POWER OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Build new skills.  Develop new competencies. Bridge differences to create value.

DEI is more than a buzzword. It’s a critical element of any modern organization’s strategy—and it’s driven by people who know what it takes to make representation, inclusion, and equity a reality.

Suffolk University’s online DEI certificate, offered by the Center for Continuing & Professional Education (CCPE), brings the university’s thought leadership to professionals from any industry. Through a five-part learning module, you can find a space to explore how you can improve—both personally and professionally—in being an advocate for DEI initiatives that fuel meaningful change. No matter your current role or where you want to go, you’ll come away with a deep understanding of concepts such as unconscious bias, cultural intelligence, humility, privilege, and power. 

The DEI certificate ultimately culminates in the creation of a personal action plan to support the incorporation of DEI knowledge and concepts in the workplace, preparing you to put what you’ve learned into practice right away.

Benefits of Suffolk CCPE’s DEI Certificate

• Module 1: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)—Understanding the Fundamentals
• Module 2: The Intersection Of Emotional Intelligence And DEI
• Module 3: Communicating About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Module 4: DEI Action Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

How will a certificate benefit my career?

Certificates can help you upskill to stay at the forefront of your industry. By gaining relevant knowledge and skills, you can grow in your current role, advance into more senior positions, or change your career.

How long will it take to complete the DEI certificate?

You can complete a full certificate in 8 weeks.

How can I enroll for the DEI certificate?

The certificate is open enrollment. You can sign up with our online registration system to submit payment and reserve your spot.

How much does the DEI certificate cost?

You can earn the DEI certificate online for just $899.

What is a noncredit certificate equivalent to?

Certificates are professional credentials that show you have completed a certain level of education or training for a subject or career discipline.

Meet the Faculty

Joyya Smith

Joyya Smith serves as the Vice President of Diversity, Access, and Inclusion at Suffolk University and is committed to institutional community building, equity and inclusive excellence. She has worked in a variety of roles in higher education ranging from Director of TRIO programs to adjunct professor with the mission of embracing diversity and accelerating inclusion.

Specific to her current role, she supports programming such as the Ambassador for Inclusion Professional Learning Community, Affinity@Suffolk Employee Resource Groups, Equity in the Curriculum Series, Access and Opportunity Fellowship Program, and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Initiative. In addition to her administrative duties, Joyya finds inspiration from her students. Understanding student experiences and perspectives allows her to work collaboratively with her colleagues to focus on practices that engage and support all institutional stakeholders.

Joyya Smith is a self-professed life-long-learner who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Masters of Education in Higher Education/Student Services degrees from Georgia Southern University, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Argosy University/Atlanta. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.