Dr. Anna Solley Weaving Diversity into
the Fabric of Phoenix College
Diversity and inclusion are integral to Phoenix College's mission to deliver teaching and learning experiences that inspire the lifelong pursuit of educational, professional, and personal goals for our diverse urban community. Our strategic directions, which align with those of the Maricopa Community Colleges and with Chancellor Rufus Glasper's Beyond Boundaries Commitments, focus sharply on ensuring that we weave the tenets of diversity and inclusion into the fabric of Phoenix College at every level, from access, learning environments, and collaboration to resource development, workforce recruitment, and college identity.
As the President of Phoenix College, I am proud that more than 50 languages are spoken on our campus and that our students represent over 100 countries. The many languages spoken here and the diverse cultures represented characterize us as a college that exemplifies and embraces diversity. In addition, the broad range of ideas, passions, skills, and talents of students, faculty, and staff create the rich tapestry of Phoenix College's diverse family.
We recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion to student success, and we work to meet the needs of students with respect and honor. Phoenix College is a Hispanic Serving Institution, with a reported Hispanic student population of 30 percent. Overall, minority students comprise 48 percent of our student population. Our refugee population numbers 1,300 students, and the Disability Resource Center, which coordinates services to ensure Phoenix College students with disabilities have equal access to college programs and resources, serves approximately 700 students each year. Our PC Ambassadors, a highly-talented group of dedicated students, serve as the faces and voices of our college to the community, and they, too, reflect the many backgrounds and ideas represented at our college. I can think of no better way to continue to reach out to new students of all backgrounds than to provide them the example of these bright spokespersons, with the hope that potential students will be inspired to similar levels of achievement.
The learning experience at Phoenix College is enhanced by diversity. Unique Learning Communities combine courses to help students connect ideas and information. For example, the Medi-Lingo cohort combines Medical Terminology for Health Care Workers with Advanced Vocabulary for ESL Speakers, preparing students to communicate more effectively with patients. In addition, we have initiated a Bilingual Nursing Program with the support of a Department of Commerce Grant. Beginning this spring, Phoenix College students have two more venues in which to share the diversity of their ideas: the new online Student Newspaper and the student-run Internet radio station both will debut this month.
Phoenix College is able to enhance educational efforts and strengthen our community thanks to our partnerships and collaborations. We work with the City of Phoenix to provide workshops that promote an understanding of cultural diversity among municipal employees, as well as offering a variety of educational opportunities for city employees such as Spanish, Arabic, American Sign Language, Mathematics, and GED classes. Another collaborative effort is The Raul H. Castro Institute (RCI), a non-profit "do tank" focusing on issues that affect the Latino community in Arizona, with emphasis on education, health and human services, leadership and civic participation. This collaborative effort of the Office of the Governor - State of Arizona, Arizona State University - Center for Community Development < Civil Rights, and Phoenix College, recently resulted in a highly-successful awareness symposium to begin positively addressing health issues impacting Latinos in Arizona.
Increasing accessibility to educational opportunities for future generations of students from the community to attend Phoenix College is yet another way we are ensuring diversity and inclusion on our campus. The goal of the Making Life Better for Generations Campaign, a significant fund raising effort named in tribute to the generations of students, alumni, and employees who have helped weave the fabric of the Phoenix College tapestry since 1920, is to secure additional funds for need-based and student endeavors that will anchor Phoenix College's reputation among the most accessible community colleges in the country.
Phoenix College's 480 full-time faculty and staff are drawn from the community they serve, reflecting the rich diversity of the city center in which our college is located. An effective workforce is rich with people of different backgrounds and cultures who are empowered to share their unique ideas and individual viewpoints. We are consistently working to build on our quality diverse workforce, and we strive to create an environment in which faculty and staff are celebrated for their individuality, and can in turn feel supported in celebrating the uniqueness of our students.
The strong identity of Phoenix College springs from our diversity. There is no better reflection of this fact than the end result of the committee that worked to choose the theme for our 2006 homecoming week. "Diverse City: Many Bears (our mascot), One PC" is an apt description of our vibrant campus as well as our surrounding community.
At Phoenix College, we celebrate, respect, and honor diversity through a conscious, committed effort. Ensuring that we maintain high standards for diversity and inclusiveness is a continuous process, and each of us holds the responsibility to pursue life-long learning in this area, allowing us to effectively respond to the changing needs of the diverse community we proudly serve.