South Seattle College
IN-49: Innovation C

Seattle Colleges’ Inclusion Advocate program, with permission from and modeled after Oregon State University’s Search Advocate program, is designed to create a standardized, anti-biased search process to build a rich and diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of our students and community. Participants apply and receive two full days of training followed by twice quarterly districtwide meetings and trainings. Trained Inclusion Advocates participate in all levels of the hiring process as non-voting members to guide committee members to recognize and avoid unconscious bias. Inclusion Advocates work in conjunction with the search committee chair, hiring manager, and human resources to affirm the college’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As a result of the innovation of this program, it won the 2019-2020 Innovation of the Year Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College. Established over 35 years ago, the League’s Innovation of the Year Awards were devised as a way to recognize significant innovations at Board and Alliance member colleges. These innovations reflect significant achievements and the continuing renewal of the spirit of innovation and experimentation upon which the League was founded. The award honors faculty, staff, and administrators at member colleges who have created and implemented innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies, and activities that improve the institution’s ability to serve students and the community.