Northland College
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Northland College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse population, and continues to place diversity and equity at the forefront of its work in a number of different ways. In 2016, the College began to focus on diversity and equity through the development of a Diversity Plan. Work that is defined in the plan is carried out through a Diversity Council which includes representatives from the following: Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Dean of Students, Indigenous Cultures Center Director, staff members, faculty members, students, admissions staff member, and the Director of Human Resources. The Council works with key constituents (staff council, faculty council, student association) to implement this plan. Goals of the plan include: student recruitment and retention, faculty and staff recruitment and retention, fostering a campus environment that supports diversity, and proactive steps to eliminate discrimination in any form. In January of 2018, a critical component of the Diversity Plan was launched through the hiring of a Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. The Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator provides support to recruit and retain student populations who have been historically underrepresented, assists in shaping the campus community’s understanding of and appreciation for diversity, and works to enhance the campus climate for and commitment to diversity. Doing so is accomplished through mentoring, advocacy, visibility events, and intentional programming. The position is consistent with Northland College’s commitment to diversity, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, ability, or sexual/gender identity/expression, with an initial focus on students of color. Primary duties of the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator are as follows: 
1. Provide support recruitment and retention for student populations from historically underrepresented groups. • Serve as advisor/advocate to transition underrepresented student populations to college. • Mentor individual students of color as an advocate and liaison to resources on and off campus. • Coordinate and oversee recruitment, participation, and events involved in pre-college youth summer camp. • Work with College Possible and other partner organizations in identifying developing support systems, especially for larger cohorts of incoming underrepresented students. • Consult with the Admissions and Marketing to provide support and outreach for underrepresented prospects, applicants, and their families • Consult with relevant campus departments and offices to support retention of students from underrepresented groups. 2. Shape the campus community's understanding of and appreciation for diversity. • Lead the Diversity Council in efforts to implement the Northland College Diversity Work Plan. • Oversee the Northland College Student Diversity Center, including hiring, training, and supervising work study students and managing the operating budget. • Develop, coordinate, and assist with various activities, programs and events (both educational and social) that attract campus and community interest and participation. • Advance the design and implementation of diversity education and cultural competence training programs for faculty, staff, and students. • Develop intentional programming for the entire College community, including but not limited to Latino, African American, Asian & Pacific Islander, Native American, LGBT2QIA+, and diverse religious celebrations. • Serve as a campus multicultural resource in partnership with the Indigenous Cultures Center 3. Enhance the campus climate for and commitment to diversity. • Promote an understanding of Diversity & Inclusion initiatives. • Support current and future programmatic needs for diversity-oriented student groups. • Collaborate with Student Life colleagues regarding planning, implementation and assessment of student services. • Advise and inform Student Life colleagues of current trends and issues related to diversity programming and higher education.

While current proportions are listed as most, it is anticipated with further implementation of the Diversity Plan, and a full time dedicated Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, that efforts will be all encompassing on the College campus over the coming year. The College offers programs regarding diversity and inclusion for all students, staff, and faculty. On an ongoing basis, Northland College currently holds a number of events throughout the year which support cultural competence: an open forum discussion on LGBT, a “Rainbow Dinner” dedicated to bringing the College community together to celebrate LGBT, a Native American Pow Wow, Martin Luther King Jr. day celebrations, many presentations and conferences regarding gender and gender identity, and other cultural events for the community.