Office of Equity and Inclusion
Mission
The Office of Equity and Inclusion is a mission-driven office that promotes and fosters a community that is safe, inclusive, and equitable for all community members learning and working at American River College.
Contact
Interim Dean:
Dr. BJ Snowden
Admin. Asst:
Israeline Grayson
Phone: 916-484-8223
Email: graysoi@arc.losrios.edu
We Believe…
- That an inclusive and equitable world is possible.
- All people deserve to experience their academic and professional goals free from discrimination and bias.
- The Office of Equity and Inclusion has a role in making American River College a place free from discrimination and bias.
We Are Committed To…
- Centering the humanity and dignity of all people.
- Creating an inclusive and safe campus environment for all.
- Challenging power, privilege, and oppression.
- Helping employees deepen their commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Engaging employees in self-reflection and continuous improvement regarding individual and professional equity.
- Capacity-building for all employees to better embody equity-minded practitionership.
The following definitions are provided as a shared point of reference for the terminology used
throughout the Institutional Equity plan. They are offered to provide clarity to future
implementation efforts and to serve as reference material for future planning processes.
Social Justice
Social justice is both a process and a goal. Social justice is a way of seeing and acting aimed at resisting unfairness and inequity while enhancing freedom and possibility for all. It focuses on how people, policies, practices, curricula, and institutions may be used to liberate rather than oppress others, particularly disproportionately impacted persons.
Equity
Equity is focused on providing educational opportunities and support that meet the needs of the community, especially those who are historically underserved, marginalized, and/or disproportionately impacted. These communities include:
- People of color including Black and African American, Asian and Asian American, Pacific Islander American, Latinx, Native American, multiracial, and other people disadvantaged due to racial and ethnic identity
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others (LGBTQ+)
- Women-identified and females
- Undocumented, DACA, AB540, and mixed-status families
- Low-income and first-generation
- Current and former foster youth
- People with disabilities
- Non-majority religious and spiritual groups
- Refugees and persons holding Special Immigrant Visas (SIV)
- International students
- People with limited use of the English language
Community Engagement
ARC is committed to engaging our community in efforts to eliminate inequities and to promote positive social change.
Transformative Leadership
ARC commits time and resources to supporting the development of courageous leadership. This includes the development of skills that address individual and systematic oppression.
Equity-Minded Education
Equity-minded education values students and their life histories and experiences, making them central to the teaching and learning process. The histories, cultures, and contributions of diverse groups are included in the student experience. Learning environments and curricula directly address racism, sexism, classism, linguicism, ableism, ageism, heterosexism, religious intolerance, audism, xenophobia, and intersectionality.
Liberation
Liberation is the act of dismantling systems of oppression and disrupting systems of power and privilege. This process includes the voices of those who have been excluded or marginalized. Liberation strives beyond equity through social justice to pursue true freedom.
This section will include information related to the Campus Climate Survey (e.g. preliminary results, executive summary, etc.); Professional Development and Training Project Team Recommendations; Disparate Impact Project Team Recommendations; and other equity and inclusion related plans, reports and findings.
Hiring the Best & Equity Representative Trainings
Hiring the Best trainings are required of all employees who wish to serve on a hiring or interview committee. Equity Representative training is in addition to the Hiring the Best training and is required of all employees who wish to serve as the Equity Representative on a hiring or interview committee. Both of these trainings seek to deepen committee member’s knowledge of the interview process and to help ensure all candidates are treated in an equitable manner in a search process.
You may also attend the Hiring the Best and Equity Representative training sessions at any Los Rios Community College and at the District. Please download Los Rios Employee Hiring Committee Training. This form will allow you to register for one of the upcoming trainings.
Hiring the Best training meets the requirements of the EEO Plan Component 8: Training for Screening/Selection Committees as mandated by the Title 5 Regulations, section 5300 et. seq.
From Othering to Our Community of Belonging Series
These facilitated sessions provide an opportunity for LRCCD employees who are navigating change to connect with peers and colleagues in a dialogue designed to deepen our connections and belonging in times of uncertainty.
Self-enroll in the ARC Center for Teaching and Learning Canvas course to get up-to-date information about trainings and opportunities for professional development.
Office of Equity and Inclusion welcomes the opportunity to collaboratively design workshops and sessions based on specific departmental or office needs. Prior to developing a session, the Office requires a meeting to discuss needs, priorities, and expected outcomes among other things. Please contact Israeline Grayson, graysoi@arc.losrios.edu, to schedule an informational meeting.
For Students
- Health and Wellness Center
- PRIDE Center
- U.N.I.T.E.
- UndocuScholar Resource Connection
- Native American Resource Center
- Learning Communities – PRISE, Umoja Sahku, Puente
For Employees
- Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
- Instructional Technology Center (ITC)
- Employee Resource Groups
- Employee resource groups (ERGs) – also called employee network or affinity groups – began as small, informal, self-started employee groups for people with common interests and issues. Today, they exist not only to benefit their group members, but to support Los Rios' efforts to attract and retain diverse employees. Our ERGs include:
- Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legacy - The Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legacy is a community of Asian American, East Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Southeast Asian Employees.
- Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) - The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) provides support, advocacy, and community to employees who identify as Black, African, and African American.
- Comunidad - Comunidad is a culturally-based professional network that enhances professional opportunities, advocates for students, and creates a safe and welcoming environment for the Latinx/Chicanx and undocumented communities.
- Native American Collaborative (NAC) - Native American Collaborative (NAC) is made up of Native Americans from diverse tribes who are employed within the Los Rios Community College District
- Spectrum - The Spectrum Resource Group provides support, advocacy, and community to employees who count themselves members of the diverse LGBTQIA+ community.
Indigenous Land Use Statement
"We acknowledge the land which we occupy today as the traditional home of the Nisenan, Maidu, and Miwok tribal nations. These sovereign people have been the caretakers of this land since time immemorial. Despite centuries of genocide and occupation the Nisenan, Maidu, and Miwok continue as as vibrant and resilient tribes and bands, both Federally recognized and unrecognized. We take this opportunity to acknowledge the generations that have gone before as well as the present-day Nisenan, Maidu, and Miwok people."
Our Commitment to Social Justice and Equity
American River College strives to uphold the dignity and humanity of every student and employee. We are committed to equity and social justice through equity-minded education, transformative leadership, and community engagement. We believe this commitment is essential to achieving our mission and enhancing community.