JEDI Commitment

DEIA Honor Code & Pledge

To achieve a vision that leads to the transformation of the health of populations and make New Mexico one of the nation’s healthiest states, College of Population Health (COPH) must recruit, train and retain individuals who are equipped to work, learn, teach, practice, and conduct research in a collaborative manner in challenging and diverse settings.


COPH expects that its students, staff, and faculty facilitate an atmosphere of respect, integrity and cooperation so that its external relationships with communities reflect the principles of cultural humility, justice, and equity.


Recognizing the damaging effects of individual and institutional biases, discrimination, racism, and exclusion, COPH strives to be a place that is diverse, welcoming, and inclusive for all and commits to identifying and dismantling hate, oppression, systemic racism, and discrimination internally as well as externally.


COPH expects all in its community to reflect and act on these values and ensure that their views, beliefs, actions, and inactions do not, intentionally or unintentionally, perpetuate the problems of exclusion, injustice, and systemic discrimination.


To this end, the DEIA Honor Code that all COPH staff, students, faculty and affiliates are expected to uphold include:


  • Respect for all individuals who are affiliated with or come in contact with COPH. We will respond to societal needs while centering ethical behavior, justice, and competence, reflecting the expectations of the social contract with the community. We will respect the dignity of others, displaying cultural humility and acting with civility and compassion.


  • Diversity and Inclusion that is reflected in actions that appreciate and value all individuals and groups and a commitment to being an inclusive and equitable community. We will contribute to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere for teaching, learning, working in communities, and/or conducting research.


We commit to listening to and respecting the perspectives of others who are underrepresented, aiming to learn from them what actions, practices, policies, and structures they experience as racist, discriminatory, exclusionary, or otherwise detrimental to the community. We will champion justice and equity within COPH and more broadly in society and be committed to transforming systems, institutions, practices, and policies that perpetuate health disparities.


By becoming part of the UNM COPH, you are expressly dedicating yourself to this commitment.


It is a great honor and privilege to study, work, learn, and serve in the health professions as a member of the COPH. This pledge is made solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.


Send me information about activities and opportunities to contribute to COPH DEIA efforts.