From the Editor

Welcome to the Spring 2009 Edition of Expressions, Maricopa’s vehicle to inform the community about its diversity and inclusiveness initiatives. I love our Leadership article, "What is hip." I've been humming it all week. I appreciate Paul Dale's thoughtful exploration of what diversity and inclusiveness mean to us here at Maricopa.

I also want to thank Dr. Pan for his input into the article on convocations. Sometimes we do things because we've always done them. At the last DAC meeting, I asked folks why convocations are important. What do they mean for us? I was touched by the passion and depth of the responses we received. It is about family, the future and as always, about student learning for all of our students. Maricopa succeeds because we do not try for a one-size-fits-all approach.

I also hope you take time to read about the amazing work folks are doing across Maricopa in the article on this year's DAC Awards of Excellence. With the current budget situation, a luncheon gave way to cookies and punch, but a standing room crowd celebrated together and learned together about what is possible at Maricopa.

We continue to see those efforts in the employee learning opportunities that are available including MOSAIC and the Diversity Infusion Program. It is especially gratifying to have student submissions in this issue from the Lara Noss, a Diversity Infusion Program student intern. Her interview with Paul Grocoff and comments about what she learned as a participant.

And finally we have the opportunity to see a summary of this year's review of our diversity and inclusiveness efforts that strongly connect these efforts to student success and engagement. We know Diversity Matters at Maricopa.

Rory Gilbert

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