Monitoring Diversity Report 2006 -- Governing Board Work Session
On Tuesday, April 10, the Governing Board, CEC and the Maricopa community had the opportunity to review the 2006 Monitoring Diversity Report and address developing a strategic, design for diversity and inclusion at Maricopa.
The Monitoring Diversity Report is a product of Maricopa’s Diversity Advisory Council led by Governing Board President Linda Rosenthal, Vice Chancellor Al Crusoe and Chandler Gilbert Community College President Maria Hesse.
Chancellor Rufus Glasper opened the evening by noting how concepts relevant to diversity and inclusion are now embedded throughout our vision, mission and values. He challenged participants to consider how we move forward strategically to embed inclusion and diversity in our culture - in the way we work, and encouraged participants to express divergent opinions, to ask the hard questions and to take action that will benefit our students and our community.
To provide context for the evening, Rory Gilbert, Manager for Diversity Initiatives cited “Making Excellence Inclusive,” a series of articles produced by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. AACU proposes that excellence and inclusiveness must be addressed together for student success. They identify current research that demonstrates the value of inclusiveness in student outcomes, and provide strategies for creating an inclusive environment. Critical to AACU’s proposal is the premise that institutions of higher education must focus not just on equity of access but on equity of outcomes. Colleges and universities must look inward at their own structures to identify barriers to success.
Damita Kaloostian, Coordinator with Institutional Effectiveness, presented a sample of diversity and inclusiveness indicators from a variety of Maricopa sources including general demographic information, success and completion data, (disaggregated by race and gender), information on student engagement (from CCSSE), and information about Maricopa’s workforce.
The ensuing conversation explored areas that required attention and additional data, discussions of how diversity and inclusiveness are and should be integrated within Maricopa’s strategic plan, and proposed some recommendations for further action. Particular focus was on placed on hiring, recruitment, retention and advancement of a quality and diverse workforce and on strategies to ensure retention and successful completion for all our students.
Participants were clear that there is work that must be done and that action must and will be taken without waiting until next year’s report. Next steps will include identifying the appropriate venue(s) to implement intentional, purposeful and measurable strategies for success.
For more information click below:
Monitoring Diversity Report 2006 (pdf)