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 matters. That’s why NOLS is committed to offering programs that will help ensure that our field faculty reflects the rapidly changing demographics of the world we live in. The Fellowship and Instructor-in-Training program provides a structured pathway for self-identified People of Color to become NOLS field instructors. Each spring, Fellows spend up to 16 weeks in residence at one of our operating locations learning about the logistics of running a large scale wilderness school operation. Come summer, Fellows transition to the field and serve as Instructors-In-Training on a series of wilderness expedition courses as contributing members of NOLS instructor teams. Upon conclusion of the summer, Fellows will continue to receive mentorship from the NOLS Field Staffing team in order to prepare strong applications for NOLS Instructor Courses the following spring.
In order to apply for the fellowship program, go to the NOLS jobs page and scroll down to the "Available Fellowships" section. When NOLS is accepting applications, there will be links at the bottom of this section.
Please contact NOLS to receive notifications about the Fellowship and Instructor-In-Training program!
Apply for a FellowshipCultural 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.
