A positive school culture and climate can support learning for students, particularly students of color. The role of the school social worker is vital to supporting an educational system in developing and promoting a positive school culture and climate. In trying to best understand the role of the school social worker, a qualitative approach allows for their voice to build an understanding of their role. School social workers identified that their time and energy often focused on micro-level interventions that included crisis intervention. School social workers are trained in macro and policy level intervention and yet are often not sought after for this level of support in the school setting. School social workers were asked to define their role in the school setting in order to understand how their policy and system change work can impact student perception and experiences related to school culture and ultimately diversity and equity. Understanding student perception and experiences of equity and diversity helps school leaders develop the best support for students in their education. Most of the research related to student perception of diversity and equity has been completed at the university level. Surveying a high school student population of primarily white, Latino, and African American students will inform the work of educational leaders including school social workers. Student perceptions of diversity and equity in their school was examined in seven specific areas that include: institutional commitment to diversity; conversations across difference; discrimination and bias; academic validation; interpersonal validation; habits of mind for life-long learning; and integration of learning. The following studies will examine how school social workers define their professional role and how it impacts their ability to impact positive change on a macro level. School social workers have an opportunity to support all students in feeling safe and in feeling like they belong to the school community. The studies also include an examination of high school student perception of equity and diversity and student experiences. These studies help understand the importance for high school students to collaborate and work with students from backgrounds different from their own. Our school social workers have the ability to support change at the school level to improve student experiences and positively impact school culture. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]