From the Editor

I am so pleased to have the Chancellor's comments lead off this edition of Expressions. On first hearing about Dr. Glasper's vision of One Maricopa, I was convinced that there was a natural synergy with our diversity and inclusiveness efforts. Managing the dynamic tension between the individual and the group for the benefit of all reflects the challenges and the opportunities we face on a personal and a system-wide level. Thank you, Dr. Glasper, for demonstrating this relationship. I think you'll find the Employee Calendar and the article about the Intersections of Culture Professional Development opportunity examples of how we learn and grow better when we come together.

Additionally, in this issue, we have the opportunity to introduce our Diversity Strategic Plan. Many people have contributed to this product since the origins of DAC back in 1994. To the diversity pioneers at Maricopa, I hope that as the plan unfolds, you see your efforts and your vision reflected in the product. We hope to continue this work in a mindful, intentional and strategic way.

DAC continues to work to ensure that all students and employees are able to be successful in an inclusive and respectful atmosphere. Information on Inclusive Excellence and our current policy effort regarding Gender Identity and Expression represent this continuing work.

I also want to congratulate Bill Pasco on receiving the Liberty Accessibility Advocate Award from the Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition. Bill's remarks were challenging and compelling. You can find them on the Diversity blog.

Bill has been part of a group of employees at Maricopa who are exploring ways to better support our Employees with Disabilities in an inclusive way. We hope to provide more information about that in a future issue.

In closing, I was recently talking about diversity with a group of faculty and staff and I was struck by how similar this work is to eating healthfully. We have to eat just as we always have to engage with people who are different from us. The quality of what we eat requires consistent mindfulness, ongoing education and adjustments for the different places we are in our lives. So too with inclusiveness, the diversity (the food) is always there. How we manage it is up to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read Expressions this month as you continue your own mindful journey.

Rory Gilbert

Manager for Diversity Initiatives
480-731-8211
rory.gilbert@domail.maricopa.edu