Raritan Valley Community College
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Raritan Valley Community College Diversity Council

Purpose: To develop and implement initiatives that promotes diversity and inclusion within our campus community. Valuing diversity is part of our college mission and serves as a core value at Raritan. Program goals include recruitment, retention and campus climate.

Executive Committee
1. Eileen Abel – Senior VP of Academic Affairs
2. Diane Lecome – Dean of Student Services
3. Richeleen Dashield – Dean of Multicultural Affairs

Standing Committee
1. Ronald Tyson – Faculty, English Department
2. Bill (William) Black – Faculty, Accounting
3. David Chase – Faculty, English
4. Cheryl Bell – Faculty, English as a Second Language
5. Vandana Nadkarni – Faculty, Art
6. Alaysha Walker – Staff, Student Life
7. Jeff Warren – Faculty, Academic Advising
8. Donyea Collins – Staff, Equal Opportunity Program
9. David Ross- Staff, 1st Year Experience
10. Peppy Margolis – Staff, Cultural Outreach
11. Jacqueline Drummer – Staff, Science/Engineering
12. Jose Olivares – Staff, Admissions
13. Yolanda Lopez – Staff, Payroll
14. Nancy Mombay – Staff, Enrollment Services
15. Student Government Association representative
16. Institutional Research*
17. Human Resources*
*Resource Support

Office of Multicultural Affairs

Mission: To provide leadership, coordination and information to assist departments, students and staff within Raritan Valley Community College increase access and equity for historically underrepresented groups, improve campus climate by fostering an inclusive and civil community and cultivate diversity awareness and appreciation. In this role the office sponsors education and training programs that are responsive to the changing demographics and growing diversity. Moreover, the office works collaboratively to develop programs that support a strong sense of community among all students while promoting the academic mission of the college.
• Promotes personal growth of students and employees by increasing cultural awareness, opportunities for interaction and exchange of ideas, knowledge and skills.
• Provide diversity resources for programs, retention assessment, curriculum/pedagogy on creating an inclusive campus environment and diversity education.
• Enhance knowledge and understanding of equity groups/cultures and historical experiences.

 Job Description – Dean of Multicultural Affairs
Position Summary
Reporting to the President, The Dean of Multicultural Affairs is responsible for leadership and direction in support of the college’s Strategic Plan, ensuring that the college continues to recognize and value the importance of diversity in our institution at all levels. The position will be responsible for developing and building a network of resources in the college and the community that effect the administration of the institution, the faculty and the student body. Position would need to envision, identify, develop and implement systems, policies and programs that will ensure and provide the leadership in championing an inclusive community.
Responsibilities
The Dean of Multicultural Affairs will have responsibility to provide leadership of this effort within at least three specific college departments.
Student Services: The Incumbent will collaborate with the Dean of Students to ensure that the college provides appropriate multicultural programming to support student growth and development including but not limited to the college’s celebration of a variety of multicultural social and educational programs and events. The Dean provides leadership to provide services and programs which enhance and support success of students from historically underrepresented groups and promotes increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of ethnic, racial, cultural and spiritual identity for all students. In addition, the Dean will provide leadership supporting the growth and development of activities designed to support the enrollment, retention and graduation of minority students, helping RVCC students to achieve the success they envision in their lives.
Academic Affairs: The Dean collaborates with the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs to support professional development as well as the development of curriculum related to RVCC’s desire to be inclusive.
Human Resources: The Dean collaborates with the Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations to develop and provide appropriate professional development activities for Faculty and Staff. In addition, and in support of the Strategic Plan, the Dean will be responsible for outreach to graduate schools and professional organizations to promote RVCC as an employer of choice and to ensure that the college’s positions are attractive to a diverse pool of candidates and that candidates selected for employment are retained and are successful at the college.
College Wide Responsibilities: The Dean serves as chair of the President’s Task Force on Diversity and inclusiveness, working with the Chair of the Forum to ensure that issues of diversity and inclusiveness are considered by the full college governance body.
Dean is a member of the Cabinet and will serve on college wide committees, and serves the community in ways appropriate to his/her interest and skills. Dean will actively look for opportunities of external funding to support multicultural initiatives.