Delta College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Delta College embraces equal opportunity as a core value: we actively promote, advocate, respect and value differences, and we foster a welcoming environment of openness and appreciation for all. Delta prohibits discrimination in accordance with, and as defined by, applicable federal, state, and local law, particularly non-discrimination in employment, education, public accommodation, or public service on the basis of age, arrest record, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and weight. Direct inquiries to the Equity/Compliance Officer, Delta College, Office A093, 1961 Delta Rd., University Center, MI 48710, telephone 989-686-9547, or email equityoffice@delta.edu. http://www.delta.edu/equity/index.html

Equity Office: Delta College is committed to addressing discrimination complaints promptly, consistently and fairly. Any Delta College employee, student, applicant for admission, or other participant in the College's programs or activities who believes discrimination has occurred on the basis of age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status may file a complaint with the Equity Office or the Director of Human Resources. Grievance/Complaint Procedure: Delta College, in its continuing effort to seek equity in education and employment and in support of federal and state anti-discrimination legislation, has adopted this procedure for the prompt and equitable investigation and resolution of claims of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, arrest record, veteran status, marital status, or other classifications identified in applicable U.S. federal, state, or local law, or in College policy.

Diversity outreach is a required component of all of our job boards (Higher Ed, Insider Higher Ed, Community College Jobs, MIHerc). In addition, we attend career fairs, visit colleges and universities, and send job postings to local civic and community groups to promote the Delta College “diversity brand’ and build ‘List serves’ as reference/resources for future job openings of interest. Types of Projects Projects include: academic advice, personal counseling, and career workshops; information on post-secondary education opportunities and student financial assistance; help in completing applications for college admissions, testing, and financial aid; coordination with nearby post-secondary institutions; media activities designed to involve and acquaint the community with higher education opportunities; tutoring; mentoring; education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students; and programs and activities previously mentioned that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of foster care system or other disconnected students. Services also target first generation and low income participants. Website: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/trioeoc/index.html Recruitment and Processes: Establishing community partnerships to identify and provide services to underrepresented participants within the Saginaw, Bay, Midland counties. Partnerships consists of referrals, pre-service college workshops, and post-secondary enrollment. A few of the partnerships are as follows: MiWorks!, Underground railroad, Eastside Soup Kitchen, alternative education, inner city high schools, prison re-entry program, Civic and Business Leaders, community organizations, economic development organizations (SVRC, Saginaw Promise, Saginaw Community Foundation), social service (DHS), financial literacy workshops to parents and students, mental health organizations, commission on aging, veteran organizations, foster organizations (FAST Program), Homeless Shelters (New Hope Village, Saginaw Rescue Mission, Good Samaritan), etc. Marketing of services will be provided by socio-media, newspaper, websites, radio, flyers, telephone, etc. In addition to the above, Delta College also provides the following services for underrepresented participants: Food pantry for those in need, Delta Closet professional clothing for employment opportunity, teaching learning services to be academic success (tutorial, mentorship), student employment opportunities for networking purposes (work study, internships, co-op opportunities, study abroad), student organizations representing diverse populations (LGBTQ, Black Student Union, Society of Hispanic Leaders), Multicultural Services, career services (resume, cover letter), cultural activities, community wide expo (financial literacy fair, career fair, job fair, veterans expo), counseling and disability services (mental, health, social services), educational plan (increase work skills, personal enrichment, certificate programs), learning centers to meet environmental needs (travel, home, employment), accommodation of courses (online, weekend, blended), prison re-entry program (Second Chance prison PELL), etc

Students Support Delta College sponsors a wide range of services and activities for underrepresented groups within the student body--many of which are available through the Student Engagement Office. Office of Multicultural Services: • wide range of services and activities designed to support students from multicultural backgrounds and experiences. Staff members are available and committed to helping students begin as well as achieve their educational and career goals. • provides a supportive environment and serves as a resource to help students more effectively meet their personal and academic challenges. • sponsors programs and activities designed to help students get involved and connect with the College as well as to recognize the cultural, historical, and linguistic heritage of our students. Student Leadership Academy seeks to develop and enhance leadership skills utilizing key resources from the College and community. Academy participants are required to attend a two-day interactive workshop. Membership in the Academy also requires participation in volunteer projects that benefit the campus. Student Clubs & Organizations organizes numerous activities and oversees various student groups that can help students meet people with similar interests and discover a new world of opportunity. They include: Black Student Union, Citizens in Action, Mu Omega Delta (Men of Delta), Society of Hispanic Leaders, Sociology in Action, and Unison. CMU Student Transition Enrichment Program (STEP) and Pathways to Academic Student Success Program commonly referred to as STEP, is a KCP grant-funded program designed to support first-generation and/or Pell Grant-eligible transfer students in their transition from a community or tribal college to Central Michigan University. Staff from the Student Transition Enrichment Program visits once a month throughout the academic school year. The MICUP - Michigan Community and University Partnership, coordinated by Michigan Technological University’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, offers low-income, first-generation and underrepresented minority community college students a summer research internship and a first-hand experience of what life at a four-year institution is really like. The program teaches students how to navigate challenges and make the most of opportunities through networking and relevant research. The internship also includes social events and recreational activities along with tutoring sessions and weekly meetings with MI-CUP directors in an effort to combine fun with the discovery of knowledge. The LGBTQ Resource Center offers a variety of brochures, magazines, newspapers, books and other forms of information related to LGBTQ topics. Students should feel free to browse this information, informally borrowing whatever they'd like (though items without extra copies, such as books, should be returned later). There are nearby chairs for students to use, too. The student Unison group sometimes meets in the area. While the center isn't officially staffed, volunteers, such as Safe Space providers and Prism Alliance members hold office hours from time to time. Faculty & Staff Support Delta College actively promotes, advocates, respects and values differences. We foster a welcoming environment of openness and appreciation for all. Delta does this by being committed to a sustainable vision that cultivates excellence and innovation, and embraces diversity as a core principle in services and perspectives at every level of course development (programs), engagement (outreach), and human resources (leadership, training, and management). Diversity Course: Exploring Diversity (ED388/389) available to faculty. Equity Office: Delta College is committed to addressing discrimination complaints promptly, consistently and fairly. Any Delta College employee, student, applicant for admission, or other participant in the College's programs or activities who believes discrimination has occurred on the basis of age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status may file a complaint with the Equity Office or the Director of Human Resources. Multicultural Services sponsors programs and celebrations that enhance the campus environment by increasing the awareness and appreciation of different cultures. Multicultural Services incorporates the colleges value of diversity and actively promote, advocate, respect and value differences by fostering a welcoming environment of openness and appreciation for all. Prism Alliance is a group of college lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faculty and staff and their straight allies. Prism’s mission is to establish a safe climate at Delta College for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, staff, and faculty; to raise awareness of LGBT issues across campus through education and advocacy; to increase tolerance and model acceptance across all levels of the college; to advocate for LGBT faculty, staff, and students in an effort to end discrimination; to promote the health and well-being of LGBT persons in an adverse society; to act as a community liaison and welcome the participation and support of all who share in our mission; to support the Delta College student gay/straight alliance (Unison) as appropriate and as needed. Safe Space is a nationally recognized program supported in many public school systems, colleges, and universities. Delta College Safe Space consists of a dedicated team of administrators, faculty, and staff members who are committed to providing a safe haven, a listening ear, and support for anyone dealing with issues related to sexual orientation and gender expression. The Delta College Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) was founded in the 1970s as a professional, support, service and social organization for the college’s faculty and staff of color. The association works to promote a healthy support system that will enhance effective communication and networking among Delta College faculty and staff. Delta’s BFSA is one of the oldest, continuously active employee groups of its kind in Michigan for two-year and four-year educational institutions. The BFSA strives to carry out various activities involving recruiting and retaining faculty, staff and students of color in order to help enhance the cultural diversity within the college and surrounding communities.

When Dr. Peter D. Boyse announced his intentions to retire as President of Delta College in 2005, the Delta College Foundation, in conjunction with the College’s Executive Staff members, planned and implemented a fundraising campaign to honor his leadership tenure. Because of his strong belief in addressing the issue of diverse hiring needs, funds were sought and committed to the President’s Scholar Program. The Foundation raised nearly $1.6 million to start an endowment dedicated to supporting future diversity needs. The initiative was announced as a surprise at Dr. Boyse’s retirement gathering. The College then launched the President’s Scholar Program with its first full-time hire in Fall 2008 to improve and promote a diversified workforce of administration, faculty and staff. The President's Scholar Program provides support and assistance to under-represented individuals interested in pursuing further education and careers as faculty members. The program identifies promising individuals and provides mentoring and assistance in securing further education, teaching opportunities.