Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

group photo 7 of diverse female students in front of colorful backdrops at a Multi-Cultural award night

Mission of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Lower Columbia College celebrates and embraces diversity of all kinds, including differing beliefs, cultures, people, and experiences. We commit to institutional and individual changes that recognize, understand, and challenge patterns of social inequity and systemic disparities within our ever-changing world. As part of this commitment, we strive to strengthen practices involving student success, cultural enrichment, diversity education, curricular transformation, and employee development. We are dedicated to promoting an accessible, inclusive, and safe environment that fosters cultural competency, educational equity, and social justice for all students, staff, faculty, and our local and global communities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan 2022-27

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan 2022-27 Priorities are listed below. Click the link for the seven-page plan!

Priority Area One: Develop a culture of safety and belonging for all
Priority Area Two: Invest in a campus experience where all succeed
Priority Area Three: Create a sustainable infrastructure to bolster continued DEI success

LCC’s definitions of equity, diversity and inclusion

Click to see page 3 of the plan here.

Bias Response Team

A diverse group of campus representatives available to determine a rapid and effective response to incidents of bias. See Bias Response Team.

Campus Climate Assessments

Pursuant to SB 5227, community colleges in Washington are now expected to regularly administer campus climate assessments to students and employees and post the findings. Reports will be posted here as they become available.

Diversity Training for Employees

In addition to the "Diversity at LCC" training required of all new employees (to be replaced by "DEI in the Workplace - Higher Ed - All Employees" in September 2022), LCC's DEI training framework is a shared, collaborative effort between Human Resources, the Diversity and Equity Committee, and the Instructional Assessment Committee designed to provide both general and targeted training for employees.

Date and details of session/s

Evaluation Results

3/31/2022 - Facilitated breakout sessions re: creating action plans related to equity in the classroom (LCC faculty led); all full-time faculty

Evaluation results

8/30/2022 - Search Advocate training (Oregon State University); open to all employees; "The mission of the Search Advocate program is to enhance diversity, validity, and equity in our search and selection processes."

Evaluation results

9/9/2022 - "Neutral" Student Grievance Processes in White Supremacist Institutions of Higher Education (Dr. Farhana Loonat); all staff

Evaluation results

9/9/2022 - Overview of culture change and the role of guided pathways and equity (Dr. Al Solano); all staff; and Getting our feet wet with the guided pathways and equity typology (Dr. Al Solano); breakout session option during all staff

Evaluation results

9/11/2023 - Digital Accessibility: The Essential Rules and Tools You Need to be Compliant and Help Everyone Thrive (LCC web team); all staff

Evaluation results

Winter 2024 - VFC: Identities and Inclusion training; all staff

Evaluation results

LCC Search Advocate Program

Overview:
LCC has adopted the Search Advocate program. Established in 2008 by OSU, the Search Advocate program enhances equity, validity, and diversity in hiring. Search Advocates are LCC faculty and staff who are trained as search and selection process advisors. Their preparation includes an 8 hour workshop addressing current research about implicit bias, diversity, the changing legal landscape in hiring, inclusive employment principles, practical strategies for each stage of the search process, and effective ways to be an advocate on a search committee. As a quality assurance measure, advocates who wish to remain eligible beyond the first year must attend 75% of the Search Advocate quarterly meetings for the year.

Role:
Each Search Advocate is a non-voting member who advances inclusive excellence by asking questions to help committee members test their thinking, identifying and promoting practices that advance diversity and social justice, and minimizing the impacts of cognitive and structural biases. As external committee members, advocates are able to explore assumptions, norms, and practices that an internal member might not question. The search advocate plays a vital role in position development, recruitment, screening, interviews, and evaluation.

The work of the Search Advocate is intended to advance our principles of equity and diversity, as reflected in LCC’s

Workforce Diversity Plan:
Lower Columbia College is committed to hiring and retaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of our student body. We strive to increase the diversity of our applicant pools and ensure equity and inclusion throughout our recruitment process.

Safe Zone Training

The Safe Zone Project is a new program on the LCC Campus that will offer a visible message of inclusion, affirmation, and support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Trainings will be available to help staff, faculty and students become more aware of the problems facing our students of diverse gender and sexualities and offer guidance on how to support those students.

Our curriculum is a three hour program provided through The Safe Zone Project.

Events and Activities - focusing on diversity and equity for students and employees

Diversity Clubs, Groups & Organizations

Participate in diversity-focused events at Lower Columbia College. See Campus Calendars.