Equity and Justice
major
The Equity and Justice major is grounded in a vision of collective liberation. We are all connected through what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described as an “inescapable network of mutuality,” and dismantling the mechanisms of inequality and oppression requires both internal critical self-examination and recognition of and opposition to external systems and structures that perpetuate injustice.
Inside Look
Curriculum
The foundational coursework of the equity and justice major focuses on:
- Understanding and transforming the systems and structures of our world that create inequity, injustice, oppression, and privilege.
- Helping individuals practice critical self-reflection in order to understand and transform their positions, roles, and assumptions within these systems.
Inequity and injustice based on race and disability, and challenges to peace and justice, are the focal points for the possible tracks within the major because they have historically been particularly intransigent and hard to overcome.
The Equity and Justice major can easily be paired with a second major to add a rigorous exploration of equity and justice that will be attractive to future employers. It will offer students the opportunity to engage in both rigorous theoretical inquiry and practical application through experiential learning, community-engaged learning, and internship opportunities.
“I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. […] Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (“Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” April 16, 1963)
Saint Michael’s College is updating its academic offerings to better align with evolving workforce needs and to enhance resource efficiency at St. Mike’s. These changes will strengthen the interdisciplinary learning and societal engagement already inherent in a Saint Michael’s education while staying true to our liberal arts vision and mission.
In Fall 2026, Equity and Justice will be the new name of the previous Equity studies major for incoming students.
More information about the curriculum will be shared soon.
Experiential Learning and Internships
Experiential Learning and Communities
- Institute for Equity and Justice
- Division of Edmundite Mission
- Center for Student Diversity, Empowerment, and Community (DEC)
- Center for Women and Gender
- Student Clubs and Organizations
Internships
Potential community partners for internships or experiential learning include:
- AALV (formerly Association of Africans Living in Vermont)
- Assistive Technology Lending Libraries
- Burlington Boys and Girls Club
- Center for Disability and Community Inclusion
- Cumbancha Records
- Diversifying the Educator Workforce Task Force
- Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
- Go Baby Go
- Howard Center
- New Farms for New Americans
- Peace and Justice Center
- Rights and Democracy
- St. Joseph’s Residential Care Home
- Think College at UVM
- Vermont Center for Independent Living
- Vermont Family Network
- Vermont Folklife Center
- Vermont Legal Aid
- Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program
Highlight
Campus Resource
The Institute for Equity and Justice
Alumni Profile
Jarrett Sweet ’25
Careers
The competencies and knowledge that Equity and Justice majors gain comprise a valuable set of qualifications for a broad array of career options.
After graduation, our majors go on to careers like:
- Equity and Inclusion Outreach Coordinator
- Fundraiser
- Child Rights Advocate
- Pre-Trial Services Coordinator
- Community Support Liaison
- Shared Equity Coordinator
- Mentor Coordinator
- Coordinator of Student Equity and Inclusion
- Racial and Gender Equity Associate
- Women’s Rights Advocate
- Equity and Racial Justice Coordinator
- Refugee Rights Advocate
- Legal Aid Staff
- Social Worker
- Foreign Service Worker
- Immigration Advocate
- Journalist
Faculty
Contact
Katherine Kirby, PhD
Director of Equity and Justice, Director of Junior Seminar, Professor of Philosophy
Saint Edmund's Hall 233
kkirby@smcvt.edu
802.654.2873
Ready to apply?
Take the next step at Michael’s College.