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It is probably safe to say that there isn't a community college around that doesn't have some statement about valuing diversity in their mission, vision, values or goals. To address it, colleges typically identify student needs--often framed as deficits--and then propose solutions to address them. Developed by the Stewardship for Equity, Equal Employment and Diversity (SEEED) Committee, Skyline College uses a Comprehensive Diversity Framework that goes beyond considering student deficits. Instead we look at our institutional structures, processes and practices to address student success.
We sought to create a paradigm shift from our traditional celebratory framework to a systemic transformative framework. Using the Minnesota Diversity Project as a starting reference and California Tomorrow's Equity Systems Change Model as our theoretical framework, SEEED used college-wide forums and an extensive two-day retreat to engage a broad range of constituents in determining the domains or areas we would consider.
We held hard conversations about race, class, gender, age and ability. We gave each other permission to be imperfect and created safe spaces for complex ideas to be explored. Don't be misled by the sterile description. Conversations about race and ethnicity are messy. Although we did our best, sometimes our best wasn't good enough. We stumbled over each other's privilege and power. This work requires context, structure, support, expertise and generosity of spirit. Facilitation and preparation are essential and resources should be available to allow for such.
Eight Inquiry Domains
Through a series of facilitated meetings, the Equity Audit process resulted in eight domains being identified for further inquiry, of which we addressed four:
- Community Connections
- Curricular and Pedagogical Approaches to Equity
- Hiring Processes
- Communication - Information Dissemination
We have yet to address:
- Student Support
- Leadership
- Resources to Succeed
- Institutional Climate
In order to guide the process for inquiry into each of the domains, the SEEED Committee developed a focus question, which served to maintain consistency across the work of separate teams:
"How do our practices and processes in connection, entry, progress and completion impact campus equity and student success at Skyline College?"
Mini Equity Audits
Teams then worked to develop Inquiry Questions within each of the domains. Members from each group conducted a mini equity audit focused on their specific domain. Inquiry Questions were developed that were informed by the Completion By Design framework (i.e., paying attention to the structural aspects of the Connection, Entry, Progress and Completion phases). The Planning, Research and Institutional Effectiveness office critically supported this process by operationalizing the Inquiry Questions.
In one of our sub-groups, we learned that the best way to communicate Financial Aid and Scholarship information is through classroom presentations. This led to more classroom presentations by the Financial Aid office which ended up doubling the number of scholarship applications. Thus, action research led to significant change in the short term.
Student Equity Plan
The Student Equity Plan is a good start towards developing a Comprehensive Diversity Framework because colleges must complete campus-based research to identify the areas of disproportionate impact as it relates to student success. While the Student Equity Plan calls for addressing the disparity of educational success in students, the Comprehensive Diversity Framework calls for identifying, understanding and developing an action plan for the entire institution. It calls for identifying and addressing those areas which are based in the cultural dimension such as the attitudes and beliefs of community members, as well as those based in the structural dimension such as the leadership practices around communication, hiring and curriculum development.
The ultimate goal of our educational institutions is student success. Colleges can achieve that goal by developing an action plan that is relevant and equity-driven using a comprehensive diversity framework.
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