Equity Committee
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
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Midland College is committed to acceptance and inclusion. We embrace the value of diversity; the dignity and worth of all individuals; and the academic, professional, and personal growth of students and employees. Since Midland College began offering its first classes in 1972, we have welcomed those from various cultures, religions, ethnicities, and creeds. We have grown and will continue to grow in every area, including fulfilling the promises of diversity and equity. We believe education transforms lives and provides opportunities for all. We are dedicated to the development of each student from where they are, with a focus on where they will be. |
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Definitions
Belonging
Belonging in the campus community means feeling valued through positive connections. It is more than simply liking each other, rather it includes respectful and supportive relationships, the safety to freely express ideas, as well as encouraging each person to be their fully authentic self.
Diversity
Socially, it refers to the wide range of identities. A broad definition includes race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, veteran status, physical appearance, etc. It also involves different ideas, perspectives, and values.
Equality
The “quality or state of being equal,” where equal is defined as having the same measurement in quality, nature or status. When applying this definition to social structures — like education, politics, and government — equality means that all segments of society have the same level of support and opportunity. This means that regardless of one’s gender, race, sex, religion, etc., opportunities remain the same. It ensures that people in different social statuses or groups will not be discriminated against. Uniform distribution of access that may or may not result in equitable outcomes.
Equity
The fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist in the provision of adequate opportunities to all groups.
Inclusion
The act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued as a fully participating member. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people.
Social Justice
Social justice constitutes a form of activism, based on principles of equity and inclusion
that encompasses a vision of society in which the distribution of resources is equitable
and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure. Social justice
involves social actors who have a sense of their own agency as well as a sense of
social responsibility toward and with others and society as a whole.
Focus Areas
Chair: Michael Hubbard
Members: Dagan Sherman, Idajean Curiel, Aimee McBride, Steven Gaines
We will improve our student’s quality of life outside of the classroom by increasing their familiarity with our campus, our programs, and our campus activities. We will develop new programming and partner with current campus entities such as the Midland College Student Government Association. By increasing the student comfortability level at Midland College and post-secondary education in general, students will:
- show greater gains in student development and interpersonal self-esteem
- express greater satisfaction with their undergraduate experience
- complete more credit hours and have higher grade point averages
Co-Chairs: Sheena Thompson, Dr. Miranda Poage, and Anthony (Ty) Soliz
Members: Dr. Sondra Richards, Amelia Belizaire, Pat Kesavan
We are focused on inspiring and creating supportive, informed environments for Midland College students, faculty, and staff by cultivating opportunities for continued learning and collaboration addressing themes in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Co-Chairs: Brendan Egan, Felicia Stovall, Brenton Cross
Members: Nancy Barnard, Denise McKown, Michael Gibbons-Brown
Purpose
The main role of this committee is conduct research and recommend best practices for Employment Equity and Inclusion at Midland College and to support the college’s Employment Equity requirements. The committee will also conduct research into contemporary hiring practices and ensure alignment with organizational goals based on the Climate Survey Results.
Video Resources
- MIT - Assistant Professor Renée Richardson Gosline
- TED Talk | Dare to Disagree | Margaret Heffernan
- A Look at What Diversity Means at Starbucks | Starbucks Coffee
- Google Video on Unconscious Bias - Making the Unconscious Conscious | YouTube
Research
- How Diversity Makes Us Smarter: Being around people who are different from us makes us more creative, more diligent and harder-working | Scientific American
- If Your Team Agrees on Everything, Working Together Is Pointless | Harvard Business Review
- Diversity Doesn’t Stick Without Inclusion | Harvard Business Review
- Guess Who Doesn’t Fit In at Work | New York Times
- Point of View Affects How Science Is Done | Scientific American
- A Scorecard for Making Better Hiring Decisions | Harvard Business Review
Website Research
- American Council on Education (ACE) Campus Diversity and Inclusion
- National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE)
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrator (NASPA) Constituent Groups
- National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE)
Books
Student Equity Advocates Program
The Student Equity Advocates are a small group of students who work directly with the Midland College Equity Committee. Participating students will serve in an advisory role, helping the Committee to understand the needs and experiences of MC students. They will also assist with events and educational sessions, and have the opportunity to lead conversations and develop ideas of their own. Throughout this service, students will gain a deeper understanding of work in the growing field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Students selected for this program will receive a $250 scholarship each semester.
APPLY TO BECOME A STUDENT EQUITY ADVOCATE
Applications for Spring 2023 will be accepted through January 27.
- Currently registered for at least 6 credit hours toward a degree or certification
- Completion of the current year FAFSA/TAFSA application
- GPA of 2.50 or higher
- Attend at least four Equity Committee meetings each semester
- Participate in Equity activities and educational opportunities
- Commit 20 hours during the semester to assisting with Equity related activities
- Provide feedback by completing a review questionnaire at the end of each semester
Applications will be reviewed by members of the Equity Committee. Four openings for this position are available each semester, with priority being given to returning Student Equity Advocates who successfully meet requirements.
Interested in Joining?
Complete and submit the form below.
#WeAreMC Campaign
We want to get to know you! #WeAreMC is a series on campus to highlight different groups of students, faculty and staff members of our MC community. In this series, we will display members of our MC community on our digital boards around campus. To share your heritage information for us to to highlight, complete the questionnaire.
#WeAreMC Ethnicity Questionnaire
Get Involved!
Let us know what you think
Legacy Stories
Legacy Stories is a collaboration between the Equity Committee and the Alpha Beta Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Midland College. We wanted to explore how our inherited expressions of truth build lasting legacies. We hope to answer the following questions – How much and what do we owe to those who have gone before us? What do we owe to the future? How best can we impart lasting legacies through our own expressions of truth?
It is only through the telling of our stories and meaningful dialogue that we can challenge stereotyping and undo prejudices.
Clarence Sparks
Ana Chilcoat
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Zada Kahir
Tomas Hernandez
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Committee Members
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Nancy Barnard |
Michael Gibbons-Brown |
Denise McKown |
Apply to MC Now
Thank you for choosing Midland College! If you are here to collect a few credits, take courses to transfer, or here to start a new career, we welcome you.