Dallas College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Dallas College is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusivity. The Board of Trustees established a Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to help address human rights concerns of the Dallas College community. It is the only Board Committee on which all seven trustees serve.

Dallas College’s non-discrimination statement says:
- Dallas College is part of an equal opportunity system that provides education and employment opportunities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. https://www.dallascollege.edu/about/legal/pages/eeoc.aspx

Dallas College has discrimination response protocols and teams to address the needs of all students and all employees.

The Office of Student Care Coordination is the primary department and first point of review of an incident. Front-line staff teams include licensed professional counselors and/or licensed social workers at each campus.

When an incident is reported, staff interpret the risk level of the student(s) and/or employees and the risk level to the community. They then take action accordingly with the appropriate response in collaboration with the corresponding offices and departments throughout Dallas College. The Office of Student Care Coordination works directly as needed with the Office of Student Conduct, Title IX and Equity Office, Civil Rights Office, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, and the Police and Public Safety Department.

Services are available 24/7 for students and employees:
- 24/7 through “Get Help Now” https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/counseling/pages/support.aspx
- Students who need counseling and/or support services are immediately referred to a Dallas College licensed professional counselor. https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/counseling/pages/default.aspx

Services are provided to address the following:
- Personal issues: anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, disordered eating
- Relationship issues: partners, coworkers, peers, family
- Developmental issues: adjustments, acculturation, identity issues
- Other issues: trauma, assault, substance use
- Academic concerns: motivation, test anxiety, perfectionism

If a reported incident is not a crime, but a hate or bias incident, the Office of Student Care Coordination evaluates if a student code of conduct violation has occurred and proceeds with actions for restorative justice such as counseling, education and awareness training, or other action as appropriate.

If a reported incident is a hate crime, the Office of Student Care Coordination works with the Police and Public Safety Department to evaluate the incident and take corrective action and intervention as required by law.

Support Resources:
- Dallas College has launched the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for all employees to join as members or allies. Each ERG has its own mission, objectives, goals, and processes for providing support for employees from underrepresented groups.
- Dallas College offers all faculty and staff professional development training through the online training platform Cornerstone in the following areas:
- Diversity
- Title IX
- Civil Rights
- FERPA
- HIPAA

Confidentiality:
- Dallas College uses the Maxient database framework to provide information confidentiality and security to persons reporting a bias or hate incident or crime. Only specific staff from the Office of Student Care Coordination have access. https://www.maxient.com/
- The Student Care Intake Form includes the following Confidentiality and Consent statements:
- The services provided by Student Support and Wellness fall under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- If you wish to speak with someone confidentially about a mental health issue, please email Counseling Services at Counseling@dcccd.edu.
- If you wish to speak to someone about a sexual misconduct concern, please click here.
- Dallas College provides confidentiality training accessible to all employees for FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and other appropriate laws and standards.

To report an incident, Dallas College has the following forms for online reporting and option for anonymous reporting:
- All concerns related to student health and wellbeing have the Student Care Intake Form, https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?DallasCountyCCD&layout_id=37
- All other concerns, complaints and grievances have a common intake form https://www.dallascollege.edu/contact/pages/complaint.aspx and the appropriate department is notified to address the request in the following areas:
- Academic Complaints and Grievances
- Civil Rights Complaints and Grievances
- Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Grievances
- Student Access and Accommodations Grievances
- Code of Student Conduct Violations
- General Complaints and Grievances

Dallas College is a diverse institution; the majority of our students are from underrepresented groups.

In fall 2020, the racial/ethnic demographics of 76,325 students were:
- 48.07% Hispanic
- 20.91% Black or African American
- 16.89% White
- 7.73% Asian
- 3.87% Unknown or Not Reported
- 1.96% Multiple Races
- 0.27% American Indian or Alaskan Native
- 0.24% International
- 0.03% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

One of Dallas College's strategic priorities is to create a diverse and inclusive high-performing work and learning environment leading to employee and student success. Dallas College has specific recruitment initiatives in partnership with companies, non-profit organizations, and local school districts to recruit diverse and underrepresented student groups to high demand job skills training and degree programs. https://www.dallascollege.edu/students/pages/default.aspx#diversity

Dallas College has specific recruitment initiatives for academic and non-academic staff in partnership with human resources associations and employment job posting organizations. All jobs are posted with Diversity, Inc. and diversity is considered in the hiring process at the department level. As part of the re-organization from seven independently accredited colleges to a single accredited college, Dallas College launched internal Talent Pools and Mini Pools to identify existing talent resources. This process resulted in an improvement in diverse representation across the college.

In Spring 2022, the racial/ethnic demographics of 5,853 employees are:
- 40.03% White
- 26.55% Black or African American
- 19.65% Hispanic
- 7.45% Asian
- 5.07% Unknown or Not Reported
- 0.70% American Indian or Alaskan Native
- 0.50% International
- 0.05% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Dallas College has received more than $200 M in grant awards that contribute to financial and program support of students from underrepresented groups for specific academic and workforce programs. Some examples of grant awards serving underrepresented groups include:
- Adult Education and Literacy (AEL)
- Advanced Technology Education for Integrating Construction Engineering and Bridging the Instruction Industry Divide
- Bilingual Education Center and Title V Program
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative
- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Careers in STEM
- Innovative Strategies One Workforce Grant (ISOW)
- Next Generation Youth Apprenticeship
- Nursing Shortage and Nursing Over 70 Program
- Small Business Administration Diversity Program
- TREC - Dallas Collaborative for Equitable Development
- TRIO Upward Bound and TRIO Student Support Services for First Generation Students
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WOIA) Youth Program
- Work Study Mentorship
- https://www.dallascollege.edu/grants/pages/default.aspx

Student Counseling, Health and Mental Services, Basic Needs, and Accessibility Services
Dallas College provides equal opportunities, specialized programs and accepting communities to ensure personal fulfillment and success. Specific resources have been developed for DACA and Dreamer students and LGBTQ+ students.https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/pages/counseling-care-wellness.aspx

Counseling Services, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/counseling/pages/about-counseling.aspx

Dallas College Office of Student Care Coordination engages in proactive and collaborative approaches to identify, assess and mitigate risks associated with students struggling academically, emotionally, or psychologically, or who present a risk to the health or safety of the college or its members. By partnering with members of the college, the CARE (Crisis Assessment and Risk Evaluation) Team strives to promote campus safety while prioritizing individual student well-being, success and completion.

Core Members of the CARE Team include:
- Student Care Coordinator (Chair)
- Student Conduct Officer
- Police Officer
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Professional Counselor
- Basic Needs Case Manager

Inner Circle Members of the CARE Team include:
- Accessibility Coordinator
- Success Coach
- Health Services Nurse
- Dean

Middle Circle Members of the CARE Team include:
- Military-Affiliated and Veteran Student Services
- Athletics
- Title IX
- Legal Department
- International Services

Outer Circle Members of the CARE Team include:
- Thriving Learning Communities
- Career and Transfer Services
- Faculty
- Student Life
- And other departments and staff of the college

Licensed mental health professionals including Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Master Social Workers provide short-term counseling and crisis care counseling. Some common issues that students at Dallas College address in short-term counseling include:
- Personal issues: anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, disordered eating
- Relationship issues: partners, coworkers, peers, family
- Developmental issues: adjustments, acculturation, identity issues
- Other issues: trauma, assault, substance use
- Academic concerns: motivation, test anxiety, perfectionism

Typical crisis care situations might include, but are not limited to the following:
- Acute depression with thoughts of suicide
- Acute anxiety and/or panic
- Death of a family member or friend
- Recent traumatic event
- Urgent concern for family member or a friend

Health Services, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/health-centers/pages/default.aspx

Dallas College Health Services promotes and provides health, wellness and preventative care to meet the needs of college students, employees and the communities it serves. In the event medication and/or treatment services are required, Dallas College Health Services may provide such treatment under orders from a contracted medical provider. The following nursing services are offered at our campus Health Centers, but not limited to:
- Health information and brochures
- Over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines such as Tylenol, aspirin and antacids
- Selected education and screening programs
- Confidential health counseling
- Acute care for illness and injuries
- Emergency care
- Individual health counseling
- Vaccinations
- Screenings (including hearing and vision screenings)
- Pregnancy tests
- Free HIV testing
- Health and well-being presentations and events
- Referral information for community health services

Dallas College Health Services offers a Nurse Help Line to all students and employees seeking health advice and information.
Phone: 972-860-8970
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mental Health Resources, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/counseling/pages/counseling-resources.aspx

Dallas College offers lots of online and community resources to help students support their mental health. Counseling and Psychological Services recommends a few specific tools to get started:
- 7 Cups Peer-to-Peer Support, https://www.7cups.com/p/DallasCollege/ a community that provides a compassionate place to discuss many issues, like depression, anxiety, relationships, LGBTQ+ and more. When you visit 7 Cups, you can find support and friendships in chat rooms and forums, and you can talk to a trained listener who will validate your concerns in a caring and safe space.
- Okay to Say, https://okaytosay.org/ End the stigma and join the movement with Okay to Say. The website includes specific coping strategies for COVID-19 and the chance to read other’s stories (or share your own).
- Half of Us, https://campus.halfofus.com/ If you're feeling anxious, stressed, unfocused or even just weird, find resources to help and ways to take action.
- The Trevor Project, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ offers counseling resources and aid specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. Dallas College also offers a student organization for LGBTQ+ students and additional resources.

Basic Needs and Connections Services, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/basic-needs/pages/default.aspx

The Dallas College Basic Needs and Community Connections department fosters a culture of holistic well-being by helping to eliminate any life barriers that may jeopardize student academic and personal success – barriers like food, housing and utilities, childcare, clothing, medical insurance and/or other school needs such as books and supplies. Basic Needs and Community Connections help students with:
- Food Insecurity Resources, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/food-pantries/pages/default.aspx
- Housing Insecurity Resources, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/student-care-network/housing/pages/default.aspx
- Financial Insecurity Resources, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/pages/emergency-aid-fund.aspx
- Childcare Resources, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/student-care-network/child-care/pages/default.aspx
- Transportation Resources, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/dart-gopass/pages/default.aspx
- Technology Resources, https://dcccd.sharepoint.com/sites/Student-Services-Resources/SitePages/Device-Loans-for-Students.aspx

Accessibility Services, https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/accessibility-services/pages/default.aspx

Dallas College’s Accessibility Services Office coordinates accommodations for student with disabilities to ensure equal access to programs and services. The Accessibility Services support staff help students determine their career pathway, learn how to navigate the college environment, receive support services, and connect to resources. Accommodations are coordinated to fit individual needs and may include:
- Extended time on exams
- Quiet rooms to take exams
- Readers and/or scribes for exams
- Sign language interpreting
- Computer-aided real-time translation (CART) services
- Note-taking services
- Assistive technology
- Other specialized equipment
- Large-print materials

Students requesting services are responsible for providing educational, psychological, or medical documentation from a qualified professional verifying their disability and the need for accommodation. New students are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Services Office at least two weeks before classes begin. However, students may come in at any time to begin the process to receive services.

Student Mentoring and Clubs, https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/pages/default.aspx

Dallas College TRIO programs support minority students, first generation college students, veterans students, and/or low income students. https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/trio/pages/default.aspx
- TRIO Student Support Services offers a variety of academic services to help students succeed in college.
- TRIO Upward Bound provides fundamental support to students in preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and in their higher education pursuits.
- TRIO Veterans Upward Bound reaches out to veterans interested in enrolling in college who are low-income, first-generation college students (neither parent completed a four-year college degree).
- TRIO Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education.
- In 2019, Dallas College served 971 students in TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and supported $75,429 TRIO SSS scholarship awards.

Dallas College has many student clubs and mentoring programs that serve underrepresented student groups. Some examples include:
- Male Achievement Program (MAP), MAP is an academic success and mentoring program geared toward men of color. The program aims to increase the academic success, leadership abilities, professional skills, and financial security of men of color by expanding the sense of belonging, academic confidence, campus engagement, personal identity, and career aspirations. https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/male-achievement/pages/default.aspx
- Women’s Empowerment Network (WEN), WEN serves to empower and support women students in creating a string academic foundation upon which to build lifelong success. WEN features events and workshops with guest speakers on topics of careers, character development, leadership, financial planning, goals planning, managing family and college, and navigating relationships. https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/womens-empowerment/pages/default.aspx
- Leadership Development, Student Leadership Development Institute is a free program for students to develop skills in critical thinking, social and cultural awareness, interpersonal communication, and relationship building, teamwork and group dynamics, goal setting and influencing others, decision making and conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/leadership/pages/default.aspx

- Brookhaven LGBTQ+ Club, works toward a more accepting environment for all people, regardless of orientation or identity. Provides education, support, social action and advocacy. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/clubs-organizations/pages/bhc.aspx
- Cedar Valley Latin American Students Organization (LASO), to enrich student lives by promoting the greatness of Hispanic/Latin culture, heritage, and traditions. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/clubs-organizations/pages/cvc.aspx
- Eastfield African American Student Association, to promote, advance, and support African American student success, retention, and social activities and to serve as a cultural support system within the Eastfield Campus community. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/clubs-organizations/pages/efc.aspx
- El Centro Multicultural Student Organization, provide on and off campus opportunities for volunteer hours and community services. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/clubs-organizations/pages/ecc.aspx
- Mountain View Student Veterans Association, Club members meet with other student veterans to provide support, advocacy, and network resources throughout and beyond higher education. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/clubs-organizations/pages/mvc.aspx
- North Lake Muslim Student Association, the goal is to inspire a positive influence on people. Following the word of Islam, the student association spreads the knowledge of its true beliefs and customs to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/clubs-organizations/pages/nlc.aspx
- Richland Asian Student Association, To reunite the Asian community through leadership, social events, volunteer opportunities and to embrace diversity. https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/clubs-organizations/pages/rlc.aspx

Employee Resource Groups, https://www.dallascollege.edu/about/social-responsibility/dei/pages/employees.aspx

Dallas College has launched Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for all employees to join as members or allies. Dallas College ERGs are employee-led, self-directed voluntary groups designed to attract a diverse employee base, provide inclusion of ideas and solutions that benefit students, employees, and our community. Our ERGs create opportunities for networking and mentoring, support, career development and they help us model our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our ERGs are comprised of employees who share a characteristic, whether it's ethnicity, gender, lifestyle, or interest. Our ERGs also invite students to special events and activities and have established mentoring initiatives.

Dallas College has the following ERGs:
- Adelante ERG (Hispanic LatinX)
- African American ERG (AAERG)
- Asian ERG
- LGBTQ+ ERG
- Women's Empowered ERG

The School of Education at Dallas College encourages a model of learning, exploration, questioning and inquiry-based practices to equip future educators so children can thrive. From continuing education to a four-year bachelor's degree, the School of Education has courses, certificates and degrees that prepare students with holistic, inclusive, and accessible post-secondary teacher preparation. The School of Education has a commitment to preparing students from underrepresented groups for careers as early childhood, primary and secondary school teachers and future faculty at colleges and universities.

The School of Education strives to become a national model for what higher education can and should be by providing:
- A focus on regional workforce development,
- Assurance of high-quality edu​cator preparation, and
- A continuous lens on providing post-secondary access to historically underserved populations.

To address burgeoning interest and the need for more teachers to enter the field, the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) is supporting a pathway to teacher education at five Early College High Schools (ECHS), in partnership with the new Dallas College School of Education and the University of North Texas-Dallas’ (UNT-D) Emerging Teacher Institute. Beginning in Fall 2021, the School of Education will also launch its new bachelor’s degree program in education – becoming the first community college in Texas to offer a four-year degree in education. https://www.dallascollege.edu/news/pages/newsitem.aspx?ArticleId=84
https://www.dallascollege.edu/cd/schools/education/pages/bachelors.aspx

The Dallas County Promise is a coalition of school districts, colleges, universities, employers and communities to help more Dallas County students complete college and begin careers.

Approximately 90% of Promise Students self-report as non-white ethnic or racial minorities. After students complete their associate degree from Dallas College, they can choose to transfer to a number of universities including Austin College, Paul Quinn College, Texas Woman's University, Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Arlington, Midwestern State University, Texas A&M University at Texarkana, University of North Texas at Dallas, Prairie View A&M University, and Texas A&M University at Commerce. The university degrees and program incentives vary widely per institution. Some universities have explicit incentives to support students from racial or ethnic minorities to continue toward a terminal degree in their discipline and become future higher education faculty. For example, SMU in Dallas offers the Mustang Fellowship Program to help improve the diversity of students seeking PhDs in any discipline. https://dallascountypromise.org/partners/founding-partners

Dallas College has agreements with more than 50 universities for guided pathways toward bachelor and graduate degrees. The university partners offer institution-specific scholarships, federal scholarships like the McNair Scholars Program (https://mcnairscholars.com/about) and other incentives for students to continue toward the terminal degree in their field for a career in higher education. However, the number of students pursuing a career as a college professor is not currently tracked at Dallas College. The top 15 transfer universities of Dallas College students in 2019-20 were:
- University of Texas at Arlington
- University of Texas at Dallas
- University of North Texas
- University of Texas at Austin
- Texas A&M University
- University of North Texas at Dallas
- Texas Woman's University
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Texas State University
- Baylor University
- Southern Methodist University
- Midwestern State University
- Dallas Baptist University
- University of Houston
- Tarleton State University