EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Kellogg Community College is on a journey to become an equity-minded organization by building capacity for equity and inclusion within faculty, staff and students and by creating and modifying policies and practices that benefit all.

In recent years, KCC has created and supported an Office of Equity and Inclusion, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Accessibility Task Force, Women’s Network and other initiatives which have equity as a common goal. In May 2018, the KCC President’s Council participated in an intensive, multi-day retreat to focus attention on current needs and capacity related to the College’s equity pursuit. Trainings, workshops, discussions, performances, speakers, lunch-and-learn sessions and other activities have been available in all areas of the College. The College also has begun translating materials into various languages, updating practices in pursuit of equity and inclusion and forging relationships with individuals and organizations to strengthen KCC’s ties in the communities we serve.

Equity Statement

The Board of Trustees adopted the following statement in November 2018:

At Kellogg Community College, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where we foster respect for others and our differences, support cultural understanding, demonstrate ethical behavior and champion social justice. We will accomplish this by:

• Deepening our understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion through learning, engagement with others and personal reflection;
• Valuing the lived experiences and perspectives of others while nurturing and understanding the differences between us;
• Rejecting all forms of prejudice, discrimination and racism; and
• Advancing integrity, justice and civility among and between us.

Race & Ethnicity at KCC

While we’ve been striving toward equity for years, we know that our work is far from complete. In many ways, our work is just beginning. For context, please view our 2019 Campus Climate Assessment report below.

According to the 2017-18 KCC annual report, the student population in Fall 2017 was:

• 71.8% white
• 12% unreported
• 9.6% Black/African American
• 5.1% Hispanic/Latino
• 3.7% “two or more”
• 1.9% Asian
• 0.9% American Indian/Alaska Native
• 0.1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

Gender at KCC

According to the 2017-18 KCC annual report, the student population in Fall 2017 was:

• 58.7% female
• 38.8% male
• 2.4% unreported

Employee Demographics

In 2018, employees at KCC were, collectively:

• 62% white
• 4.5% Black/African American
• 1.3% Hispanic/Latino
• 1.2% “two or more”
• 1% Asian
• 0.6% Native American
• 58.1% female
• 41.9% male

Equity in Strategic Planning

KCC’s commitment to equity and inclusion is instilled in the prominent roles they play in the College’s ongoing strategic planning, which is driving institutional work in multiple areas. In 2018, as part of a comprehensive plan, KCC declared that, by 2020:

• KCC will have equity action plans in place that advance competencies and tie directly to student impact.
• KCC will have an ongoing student engagement process in place as part of College decision-making and that the impact of that process would be seen in recruitment, enrollment and retention practices.

Equity and Inclusion Committee

The Equity and Inclusion Committee will regularly assess the systems, culture and climate at the College through an equity lens and develop recommendations that foster a more inclusive culture for students and employees. The Committee’s work will focus on systems and cultures for the purpose of making lasting changes for the benefit of current and future students and employees. This committee will not address individual claims of disservice or advocate for individuals.

Objectives:

• Build capacity for equity among students and employees by providing or arranging workshops, speakers and trainings.
• Cultivate an environment that supports and protects individuals who have been marginalized as a result of social privilege.
• Provide a support environment for people who want to understand how equity and privilege affects every individual.
• Gather and analyze data, including climate studies and demographics.
• Provide input and make specific recommendations to the KCC president.
• Serve as a resource for College departments.