“The College will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity to an increasingly diverse student body….”
NSCC
Vision Statement |
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| Our Commitment |
| North Shore Community College has made a commitment to developing and maintaining an inclusive, proactive, and empowered culture where diversity is a guiding value, not just in theory, but in practice. |
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| NSCC's Definition of Diversity |
Diversity takes many valued forms. It recognizes the integrity, contributions, strengths, and viability of different cultural, language, and social groups. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, race/ethnicity, physical abilities/qualities, disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, religious beliefs, class, educational background, and employment category.
True diversity implies a pluralistic campus, one that provides students, faculty, and staff the opportunities to learn about, respect, and appreciate each other's cultures and backgrounds. Diversity is inclusive, encompassing everyone. It seeks to create an environment in which each person and every group fits, feels accepted, has value, and contributes. |
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| The Diversity Leadership Council (DLC) |
The DLC was made a standing committee of the governance structure in 2002, in recognition of the need for on-going, legitimate, and consistent attention to diversity issues at NSCC.
The DLC is charged with developing and recommend policy and strategic planning outcomes regarding diversity issues, overseeing the development of the College's Affirmative Action Plan, serving as a clearinghouse for activities relating to diversity, and improving the institutional culture. Membership consists of faculty, staff, and students representing various diverse clubs, offices, and committees.
The DLC has been focusing on four areas:
- Identifying and ensuring the provision of services that meet the needs of our diverse student population.
- Supporting the hiring and growth of diverse staff to higher level positions.
- Raising awareness and celebrating diversity with activities such as Black History Month.
- Incorporating diversity into the curriculum.
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| National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) |
NSCC established a campus affiliate of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) in 1995. Our NCBI Team has had membership of more than fifty individuals--faculty, classified and professional staff, and students.
NCBI is an international organization that has been providing prejudice reduction, diversity awareness, and conflict resolution training since 1984. Its proactive approach begins with the training of a corps of leaders who acquire the skills to deal effectively with intergroup conflicts. These leaders work in teams, using NCBI tools to deal with tough, polarized conflicts, or intervening at an early stage to promote an appreciation of diversity.
The College cadre of trainers meets regularly to support each other and keep abreast of new approaches. New trainers who want to conduct workshops are nurtured and supported by their more seasoned teammates.
The work in classrooms provides connections among students and faculty. Each workshop demonstrates that it is possible to create a safe setting for talking about racism and other “isms,” while at the same time challenging patterns of thinking and beliefs. The NSCC’s team also serves as an invaluable resource that has been called upon to respond to emotional and controversial issues on campus, such as 9/11, the war in Iraq, and affirmative action.
NCBI has become a cornerstone of the College’s commitment to welcoming diversity and ensuring a culture of respect on campus. |
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