At the University of Michigan-Dearborn, inclusive excellence isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a transformative journey rooted in something deeply human: storytelling.
In a recent episode of Beyond the Quadcast, we sat down with Domenico Grasso, Chancellor of UM-Dearborn, to discuss how his institution is shifting away from checkbox-style DEI initiatives and embracing a holistic, personalized model that centers the lived experiences of students, faculty, and staff.
The Bridge Between STEM and Story
With a long career that has spanned roles at the University of Delaware, University of Vermont, Smith College, and University of Connecticut, Grasso’s path is uniquely interdisciplinary. He began as an engineer, but his fascination with the humanities led him to think more expansively about his field—and higher education as a whole.
“Engineering is the application of math and science to serve humankind,” Grasso explained. “It’s really a bridge between science and the humanities.”
That bridge became central to his vision for UM-Dearborn.
A Shift from Categories to People
Traditional DEI efforts often segment individuals into broad categories—race, gender, orientation—and risk overlooking the nuances of identity. Inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, Grasso and his team saw the need to go deeper.
“We realized that by lumping people into large groups, we were missing the chance to understand them as individuals,” he said. “Storytelling gives us a way to humanize, to connect.”
The university launched a pilot project with a small grant from the Coalition for Transformative Education, spearheaded by Maureen Linker, associate professor of philosophy. The goal? To create a storytelling program where students reflect on their identities, share personal narratives, and build empathy across campus.
The pilot took off—students and faculty were moved, and interest quickly grew. “We went from six students to 90,” Grasso said. “And it keeps growing.”
Stories as a Form of Wellness
The impact of the program has been powerful. Students have used it as a space to come out to loved ones, reflect on their heritage, or process formative life events. Faculty and staff have also begun recording and sharing their own stories.
“It’s like a digital time capsule,” Grasso said. “These stories will be archived so future students and their families can see where we were and how far we’ve come.”
And beyond its emotional resonance, storytelling is also tied to student success. Students report feeling more connected to campus, more seen, and more supported. That sense of belonging has real implications for mental health, academic persistence, and post-graduate success.
Scaling the Human Touch
Can this storytelling-based model of inclusive excellence be scaled to larger universities? Grasso believes it can—with the right tools. From offering digital storytelling booths (a nod to NPR’s StoryCorps) to encouraging faculty to watch or listen to student narratives before class begins, there are scalable solutions that maintain the soul of the idea.
And storytelling is more than a DEI initiative—it’s a 21st-century skill. “It’s essential in STEM and beyond,” Grasso noted. “You can be brilliant at calculus, but if you can’t explain what you’re doing or why it matters, you’re not going to have the impact you could.”
The Office of Holistic Excellence
To house this culture-shifting work, UM-Dearborn launched the Office of Holistic Excellence—a reimagined alternative to traditional DEI offices. This new initiative centers the individual, their story, and their belonging, not just their demographic box.
“DEI became bureaucratized,” Grasso said. “The Office of Holistic Excellence returns us to the heart of what DEI was supposed to be: creating a culture where everyone feels valued, heard, and supported.”
The office supports interdisciplinary dialogue, builds bridges between students and leadership, and fosters what Grasso calls a “community of the mind.”
Book Clubs, Video Clubs, and Curiosity as Culture
Among Grasso’s personal contributions are the Chancellor’s Book Club and Chancellor’s Video Club—spaces where students, staff, and faculty can come together around a shared story or idea, often from vastly different disciplines.
“It’s the one thing I get to pick,” he joked. “It’s not a democracy. I choose what we read or watch—but the discussions are where the magic happens.”
By inviting engineers to discuss French literature or historians to engage with science fiction, the university is fostering not just diversity of identity, but diversity of thought.
Looking Ahead: Measuring Impact, Sustaining Change
As the initiative grows, the university plans to track its long-term outcomes—connecting storytelling to graduation rates, job placement, and student well-being.
“We want to show that creating a culture of empathy and belonging isn’t just the right thing to do—it helps students succeed,” Grasso said.
And for institutions looking to follow in UM-Dearborn’s footsteps?
Start small. Ask your community what kind of culture they want. Pilot programs. Tell stories. And lead with curiosity.
As Grasso reminded us, “We don’t grow old because we age—we grow old because we stop being curious.”
