Following a semester of project planning last fall, a committee composed of faculty, staff and student representatives has started to roll out a series of criteria, activities, workshops, and course designations to address the college's mandate to provide diversity training college-wide.

The committee has been charged with addressing four areas of cultural competency, including curriculum and student achievement, learning environment/co-curriculum, employee development, and marketing and outreach.

Curriculum and Student Achievement

The committee subgroup charged with this task has identified over 80 "diversity-qualified" courses using pre-approved criteria. The diversity logo will be placed next to each of the courses in the next catalog. The Academic Council approved a proposal that, as a requirement for graduation with a degree, each student must take at least one of the "diversity-qualified" courses. This will be effective beginning in September, 2011.

Learning Environment/Co-Curriculum

The committee subgroup charged with this task has conducted student focus groups to get input on current and future planning. The members have developed over thirty diversity-related events which will occur during the current calendar year. March 21 through 25 was designated "Diversity Week." A Blackboard site is in development to advertise diversity-related events.

Employee Development

This subgroup developed diversity competencies for all college employees and has contracted with Dr. Richard Bucher, a renowned diversity expert, to begin faculty and staff diversity development. He was to make a presentation to the faculty on January 26 but the event was cancelled due to inclement weather. Attempts are being made to reschedule his appearance in August. The subgroup has also scheduled three presentations by speakers from the Employee Assistance Program.

Marketing and Outreach

This subgroup developed an advertisement highlighting courses for the fall, 2011 class schedule, and templates for use in advertising diversity-related events. They plan to select a diversity-logo giveaway for priority registration, faculty events, and new student orientation. They will create and maintain a webpage on the college's website. They will also publish a brochure highlighting the initiative for broad distribution.

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