In fall 2004, President Shirley M. Tilghman appointed the Diversity Working Group, representing individuals across the campus, to identify proactive strategies and potential barriers that affect the recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion of a diverse workforce at Princeton. Led by Janet Dickerson, vice president for campus life, Mark Burstein, executive vice president, and Terri Harris Reed, vice provost for institutional equity and diversity, the group worked to formulate a plan to expand and strengthen the University's efforts to diversify its staff among non-faculty employees at all levels.

In fall 2005, the Diversity Working Group issued recommendations for initiatives that would encourage the entire campus community to embrace a commitment to diversity, thereby increasing the likelihood not only that cultural change will occur at Princeton, but that it will be both systemic and institutionalized. One recommendation, the creation of two new administrative positions dedicated to developing and implementing initiatives that will build and maintain an environment that is welcoming, safe and respectful for all people, was soon realized.

By January 2007, the University had a new manager for diversity and inclusion and a new director for equal opportunity programs. Several other recommendations of the Diversity Working Group also have been accomplished with the remainder in progress toward implementation.

The current phase in the evolution of the University’s diversity mission is to facilitate coordination among the multiple offices on campus that are leading diversity efforts through the formation of a Diversity Council, which is advisory to the provost and the executive vice president. Overall, the Diversity Council provides a forum for considering diversity-related matters and concerns of our community and champions ways to ensure that we are all doing our part to create a diverse and inclusive environment.