Attendees explored opportunities to learn, network, and engage in self-care
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB) at Inver Hills Community College (Inver Hills) and Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) hosted the first-annual DEIJB Communities of Care Summit Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in the Dakota Room on the DCTC campus in Rosemount, Minnesota.
The summit opened with a video welcome from Michael Berndt, Inver Hills and DCTC president. Jeremy Clark, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at both colleges, delivered an introduction. Attendees then enjoyed a performance by Afrocontigbo, an African contemporary Igbo dance company. After performing, Afrocontigbo invited everyone in the Dakota Room to participate in an interactive dance workout.
A panel discussion with four representatives from the Minnesota Ethnic Councils took place next and was followed by three breakout sessions: Intersectionality, Universal Design Learning, and Self-Care and Mental Health. The summit provided seven plenary lunch affinity spaces—a set of places where people connect with each other via their identities, shared activities, interests, and goals. Food was provided by El Manana Restaurant, a family-owned Salvadorian restaurant that was a celebration nod for Hispanic Heritage Month. The summit ended with a closing session in the Dakota Room.
The DEIJB Team—Jeremy Clark, Raquel Calles, DEI partner, Gabriela Marín, DEI partner, and Manee Yang, program navigator—reported that the Communities of Care Summit was a space for coalition, collaboration, learning, and respite for all those who share a passion and dedication to the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging.
The summit drew DCTC and Inver Hills faculty, staff, and students along with representatives from community partners, nonprofits, school districts, and human services agencies. The team is hopeful that attendees will take summit learning back to their teams, organizations, and networks to foster a continued engagement in DEIJB work.
The DEIJB Team quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to offer encouragement to people taking on the responsibility of advancing the DEIJB mission: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
“This quote encapsulates a key to resilience,” the team said in a joint statement. “We know the work of DEIJB is hard, taxing, and emotionally draining at times, but we also know that together we can create cultural shifts and spaces where all belong—a human-centered approach that values and celebrates all communities!”
DEIJB Communities of Care Summit gallery
View more event photos by opening the Inver Hills Flickr album:
First-Annual DEIJB Communities of Care Summit Fall 2024
More from the DEIJB Team…
The DEIJB Team extended much gratitude to participants on the summit’s Panel with Minnesota Ethnic Councils:
Katya Zepeda: Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs
Brandon Alkire: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
Theo Rose: Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
Andrew Morris: Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
The DEIJB Team also thanked the speakers at the summit’s breakout sessions:
Marika Reese and Dr. Raj Sethuraju: Presented on Intersectionality
Lynn Coffey, Psychology Faculty, Minneapolis College: Presented on Universal Design Learning
Kelli Hutton, Psychology Faculty, Minneapolis College: Presented on Universal Design Learning
Rachel Lindquist: Presented on Self-Care and Mental Health
The DEIJB Team sent a special thanks to the planning committee that helped put together the first-annual DEIJB Communities of Care Summit:
- Kate Olson
- Melissa Fletcher
- Anna Voight
- Maggie Laurel
- Mark Mccreary
- Jill Fiedler
- Caitlin Siefkes
- Dede Pheretha Quevi
- Harold Torrence
- Melat Woldegebriel
- Barb Curchack
- Rahziya Akeem
- Allison Jenson
“Lastly, we thank all those who signed up to help our team the day of the summit, including staff, students, and our operations teams,” the DEIJB Team added, “To many people to name, but all were instrumental in a smooth event that was both invigorating and impactful for all attendees!”
More about the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging is designed to serve our Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College and communities. Our work aims to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging (DEIJB) into every part of our organizations from the classroom experience, recruiting students, to hiring and retention practices, to providing the culture of respect, belonging, and value we foster on our campuses.
Our Commitment
The Office of DEIJB , as well as the broader Inver Hills campus community, is strongly committed to excellence by including and integrating individuals who represent different race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, age, disability, national origin, and religion.
Inver Hills does not only seek diversity, but also acceptance, appreciation, respect, and equality. Our campus community strives to create, promote, and sustain programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity.
DEIJB Focus Areas
The Office of DEIJB is committed to supporting the strategic plan through three pillars:
- Guided learning pathways
- Campus climate
- Community engagement
Our areas of focus also include driving student recruitment and retention, creating a positive campus climate, and ensuring professional development.
The Center for Diversity and Equity
The Center for Diversity and Equity provides cultural programming and functions as a campus-wide resource on social justice issues. The Center also serves as a support and resource for students from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Center services include:
- Providing a space for students to interact, do homework, and check out our wide selection of resources pertaining to various social identities
- Resources for students with disabilities
- Planning social and cultural events
- Providing support to multicultural student clubs and organizations.
- Connecting students to multicultural resources on campus and in the community
- Serving as a liaison between students, faculty, and staff (student advocacy)
Campus Support
Gender-neutral restroom locations, information on the Prism Center of Gender and Sexuality, and other related resources can be found on the LGBTQ+Resources site.
Resources
- Bias Incident Reporting anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate or bias incident on campus, in class, or at a campus function, is encouraged to report this incident. Report a bias incident with the online reporting form.
- Equity 2030 Minnesota State’s efforts to eliminate educational equity gaps.
- Minnesota State Inclusive Writing Guide (PDF)
- Find information on campus and statewide Employee Resource Groups (PDF)
Plans and Statistics
Inver Hills Affirmative Action Plan (PDF)
Office of DEIJB Contacts
Jeremy Clark
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Department: Equity & Inclusion/Human Resources
Office: LA-224
Phone: 651-450-3790
Email: jclark@inverhills.edu
Gabriela Marín
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Partner
Department: Equity & Inclusion
Office: College Center 276
Phone: 651-450-3788
Email: gabriela.marin@inverhills.edu
Hablo Español
Raquel Calles
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Partner
Department: Equity & Inclusion
Email: raquel.calles@inverhills.edu
Office: Learning Center 231 and Cultural Center College Center 118
Learn more about the Office of DEIJB at Inver Hills by contacting:
Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice & Belonging
Inver Hills Community College
equityandinclusion@inverhills.edu
651-423-8484
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
