About
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Cass Colman
About
NOLS is committed to creating and fostering environments that are welcoming, equitable, and inclusive for all of our past, present, and future students, instructors and staff. We seek to celebrate the breadth of diversity represented within our community, while keeping our eyes on the continued journey that we must walk, run, or stroll to create spaces made with everyone in mind.
NOLS is committed to building a diverse community that is inclusive of people from all backgrounds. NOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetics information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or veteran status.
Since 2007 we have partnered with organizations across the country to award full-tuition scholarships to exceptional youth who would otherwise not have access to NOLS Expeditions. Each summer up to 150 youth from up to 50 official Partner Organizations expand their leadership and wilderness skills at one of our seven domestic operating locations. Thousands of Gateway Partner Program graduates are now leading others in industries from conservation to software development. How can you get involved?
Representation and diversity matter. That’s why NOLS is committed to offering programs that develop the necessary skills to work in outdoor education so that this field and people accessing wilderness spaces better reflect the demographics of the world we live in. The US Instructor-in-Training (IIT) program currently provides a structured pathway for self-identified Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to develop skills to work in outdoor education. Starting in April, IITs spend eight weeks at NOLS Rocky Mountain in Lander, Wyoming to receive one-on-one mentorship and training in technical skills as well as gaining experience in operational support for a large-scale wilderness education program. During this time IITs will participate in a one-week canyon expedition and a Wilderness First Responder training. Come summer, IITs transition to the field on a series of wilderness expedition courses as contributing members of NOLS instructor teams. At the end of the summer, IITs will participate in the IIT-Instructor Course, where they will have the chance to be assessed as NOLS Hiking Instructors.
In order to apply for the Instructor-in-Training program, go to the NOLS jobs page and scroll down to the "Available Positions" section. When NOLS is accepting applications, there will be links at the bottom of this section.
Apply NowCultural Competency Seminar
NOLS is committed to ensuring that our faculty and staff have consistent access to training and resources that will help ensure that our community is inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all. Our internal Cultural Competency Seminar helps participants understand how larger societal systems and values impact our classrooms, as well as practical tools that we can employ to mitigate unconscious bias.
Contact us to learn more about upcoming seminar offerings or inquire about our current curriculum.
NOLS research exists to develop and share knowledge that contributes to wilderness education.
See a complete list of publications here. For copies of publications, please email research@nols.edu.
Explore NOLS ResearchJoin us as we step forward and encourage diversity, collaboration across differences, and inclusivity in the NOLS community.
We want to hear from you! Learn more about partnering with NOLS in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
