CEHC Stands for Diversity and Inclusion

CEHC values the importance of creating an environment in which all students, faculty and staff feel that they matter, are valued, included, empowered and affirmed. We recognize that each stakeholder’s unique experiences, perspectives and viewpoints add value to our ability to create and deliver a solid education, meaningful partnerships, and desirable employment to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and community partners. The College is committed to ensuring inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all stakeholders and affirming that everyone who is a part of CEHC is preparing the leaders of tomorrow in the fields our degrees serve.

CEHC is determined to work with our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to institute change within co-curricular experiences, coursework, experiential learning, and research to address justice, legal, and service disparities. Through self-discovery and assessment, we endeavor to uncover disparities and address their root causes to develop the ethos needed to sustain measurable changes. CEHC continues to address social justice through forums to check in on our community; hear their thoughts, ideas, concerns, and hopes; and generate ideas on how to move from being passive participants to engaged learners and leaders in our fields.

Comprising the JEDI are five task forces including faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members who are charged with self-assessment of the current climate, experiences, programs and aptitudes within the College. These task forces will conduct audits in their respective areas taking stock of what we currently do as a college, recommend ways to highlight what we do well in these areas, determine where we need to prioritize changes and then provide measurable recommendations with time-based goals, objectives and tactics.

Task Force Committee Co-Chairs  

• All Committees: Mike Baumgardner
• Structures and Policies: Thora Knight and Cristyn Magnus
• Teaching and Learning: David Turetsky and Shannon Mersand
• College Climate: Michael Leczinsky
• Recruitment and Retention: Benjamin Yankson and Elisabeth Dubois
• Responsibilities for our Communities and Professions: Vacant

Structures and Policies

Review systems, policies, procedures and practices taking stock of what we currently do, how we can highlight what we do well, and what can we change to improve.

Committee Members: Thora Knight, Cristyn Magnus, Sam Jackson, Stephen Conard, Abebe Rorissa, Jack Connelly, Jose Valle, Ariel Rovere, Eitan Goldmeer

Teaching and Learning

Assess our curriculum, pedagogy, learning modalities, faculty resources, and classroom experiences taking stock of what we currently do, how we can highlight what we do, and what can we change to improve.  

Committee Members: David Turetsky, Shannon Mersand, Christine Vassallo-Oby, Joette Stefl-Mabry, Joseph La Barbera, Ryan Szpicek, David Araujo, Jeffrey Doherty, Erin Morrison

College Climate

Review student, faculty and staff experiences from recruitment/promotion, hiring/admission, classroom experiences, co-curricular experiences, social media presence, traditions, interactions with staff and faculty inside classroom/office and beyond taking stock of what we currently do, how we can highlight what we do, and what can we change to improve.

Committee Members: Michael Leczinsky, Alex Greer, Kathleen Miller, Crescent Mascarenhas, Maricarmen Jimenez, Nicholas Sturgeon, Justin Leathers, Robert Shepherd, Jessica Daisak

Recruitment and Retention of Students, Faculty and Staff

Examine all recruitment efforts for students, faculty and staff, assess their effectiveness, determine additional ways to tell our story, promote our College and make us a desired college of choice regionally and nationally for students, faculty and staff.  Moreover, to retain our valued family members, the group must examine efforts to celebrate, reward, acknowledge, engage and value our faculty staff and students taking stock of what we currently do, how we can highlight what we do, and what can we change to improve.

Committee Members: Benjamin Yankson, Elisabeth Dubois, Darima Dorzhieva, Mike Baumgardner, Andrea Morales Arauz, Ruben Gbegnedji, Tino DeMarco, Leslie Xicohtencatl, Jess Wenger, Robert Mornan

Responsibilities for Our Communities, Professions and Partners

Conduct an internal review of our current relationships and partnerships with local, state, regional and national agencies. Additionally, this group is tasked with a review of how we currently prepare our graduates for these professions and provide recommendations for improvement. During this assessment, the group will take stock of what we currently do, how we can highlight what we do, and what can we change to improve.

Committee Members: Sam Penta, David Adkins, Ed Welch, Casey Cogdill, George Berg, Curtis Paul, Crystal Baker

The JEDI Task Force committees will assess and conduct thorough research in their respective areas and use the following framework to provide recommendations.

Inventory

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis

• Take stock/assessment of what we already do
• How can we highlight what we are already doing?
• What can we do in the future?

Goals

Goal (e.g., what can we do in the future?)

• Specific objective (e.g., measurable, implementable, prioritized) 
  • Tactic (e.g., steps on how to achieve it - assign timeline and responsible party)

Teaching and Learning Committee Example

Goal: Make Diversity and Inclusion an integral part of the curriculum at CEHC

• Specific Objective: Identify appropriate courses that are amenable to integrating Diversity and Learning topics
  • Tactic: Create a list of such courses by deadline

• CEHC commitment to diversity and equity in academic advising statement
• Lunch and Learn sessions:
  • Sam Caldwell, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Ekow King and Courtney D’Allaird, Office of Intercultural Engagement
  • Alex Pieterse, director of Equity and Inclusion, School of Education
• Dean Griffin has declared addressing systemic racism as a CEHC priority
• The College promotes events, professional development opportunities, and additional resources for our stakeholders
• Continue to launch and evaluate Culture of the College surveys
• Launched a “CEHC Listens” email for feedback to the college
• Compiled and distributed CEHC Diversity Resources
• Participate annually in the Grace Hopper Celebration "State of Grace"
• Participate annually in the New York Celebration of Women in Computing (NYCWIC)
• Highlight leaders in fields from respective underrepresented groups during affinity month celebrations