Inclusive Excellence

The mission of the Wayne State University Genetic Counseling Graduate Program (WSUGCP) is, “To train a highly qualified, competent, and diverse genetic counseling workforce to increase access to inclusive, personalized genomics services for the people of Detroit, the State of Michigan, and beyond.” 

A crucial part of this mission is a strong commitment to inclusive excellence, i.e., valuing, engaging, and including all community members in all aspects of the program, including those who may not traditionally have had a voice.

The WSUGCP’s mission and commitment to inclusive excellence aligns with the Wayne State School of Medicine’s mission, which is…

“We will educate a diverse student body in an urban setting and within a culture of inclusion, through high quality education, clinical excellence, pioneering research, local investment in our community, and innovative technology, to prepare physician and biomedical scientific leaders to achieve health and wellness for our society.” 

It also aligns with Wayne State University’s mission and vision.

Mission: We create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities.

Vision: We will be a preeminent, public, urban research university known for academic and research excellence, success across a diverse student body, and meaningful engagement in its urban community and around the world. 

 

The WSUGCP has developed the following strategic initiative and objectives as a means of achieving inclusive excellence.

Strategic Initiative: Develop a genetic counseling workforce that reflects and can serve the diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives of our local community as well as the larger population of people seeking genetic counseling services.

Objective 1. Create a program culture where all qualified individuals have an opportunity to become a genetic counselor, and where all community members (faculty, clinical supervisors, staff, students, prospective students, support staff) feel a sense of belonging, and that their perspectives are valued, wanted, and respected (community engagement).

Objective 2. Increase awareness of the genetic counseling profession for aspiring health professional students, including those traditionally unaware of or under-represented in the genetic counseling profession.  

Objective 3. Identify and develop strategies to address barriers to applying and matriculating into the WSUGCP.

 

Program Inclusive Excellence Highlights to Date:

  • Integrate training in cultural humility, diversity, inclusive and equitable practice, and justice across the curriculum, starting with a first year fall semester course, Introduction to Promoting Health Equity in Genetic Counseling
  • Provide students with abundant opportunities to work with diverse patient populations
  • Involve faculty with diverse backgrounds and perspectives in all aspects of the program
  • Participate in community education to identify the next generation of genetic counselors and improve knowledge about and access to genetics services
  • Provide training to faculty and clinical supervisors in creating an inclusive learning environment
  • Conduct research that focuses on inclusive excellence and barriers to admissions-related topics
  • Continually evaluate admissions processes

 

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