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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Employment > Diversity | Equity | Inclusion

Equity Statement

Spokane Colleges believes that access to high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment is the right of all individuals and imperative for the continued advancement of a strong democracy and workforce. We also believe higher education institutions have an obligation to work toward and demonstrate progress in ensuring equity amongst their students, faculty and staff. Equity is grounded in the principle of fairness.  In higher education, equity refers to ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful through the intentional design of the college experience. 

Native Land Acknowledgement Statement

We are honored to acknowledge that the Spokane Colleges, and our main campuses for Spokane Falls and Spokane Community College, are located on the traditional and sacred homelands of the Spokane Tribe. We also provide services in a region that includes the traditional and sacred homelands of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Kalispel Tribe and Nez Perce Tribe.

We pay our respect to tribal elders both past and present as well as to all indigenous people today. This land holds their cultural DNA and we are honored and grateful to be here on their traditional lands. We give thanks to the legacy of the original people and their descendants and pledge to honor their stewardship and values.

Land Acknowledgement

Working at Spokane Colleges

Spokane Colleges is dedicated to incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion in all hiring and employment practices. Search advocates are used in the hiring process for most candidates and diversity, equity and inclusion training is provided to all employees.

District Equity Council

The Spokane Colleges District Equity Council (DEC) brings together diverse people and interests across Spokane Colleges to work together in building a more equitable and inclusive environment and to advance racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.

College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts

SCC and SFCC work to foster an inclusive environment, promote all types of diversity and serve as a support network for the Spokane Colleges community.

At Spokane Community College...

Diversity:

Diversity is a representation of individual identities, intersectionalities, and differences that bring rich perspectives to the environment and conversations. Examples of diversity include, but are not limited to, differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs or other ideologies.

Equity:

Equity requires the elimination of systemic barriers that have been deeply entrenched in systems of inequality and oppression. Equity achieves procedural and outcome fairness, promotes dignity, honor, and respect for all people. Equity ensures everyone has full access to the opportunities, power, and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential (Adapted from the WA 2020 Office of Equity Task Force).

Inclusion:

Inclusion involves engaging all individuals and groups through deliberate, consistent, and action-based decision making and transparent communication at SCC. For inclusion to happen, there must be space where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized, systemic and institutional barriers are removed, and underrepresented populations feel supported, respected, and valued, resulting in equitable outcomes for all.

Center for Inclusion and Diversity

At Spokane Falls Community College...

Diversity...

Is the representation of all our varied individual or group characteristics, identities, experiences, and social statuses. Historical and systemic discrimination and colonization have produced unequal power and have privileged certain identities over others.

Equity...

Is the result of organizational change that eliminates systemic and institutional barriers preventing full participation and success for historically minoritized students and employees. It requires providing the access, opportunity, and support needed for the advancement of all people. Its goal is equitable power, opportunities, and outcomes for all.

Inclusion... 

Is the active and deliberate creation of environments where all individuals and groups can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. The work of inclusion succeeds when it is ongoing, and all members of our college community are heard and participate in decision-making processes regarding policies, practices, and daily organizational life at the college.

To these ends, we commit to these conscious practices:

  • Mutual respect for our distinct lived experiences, nurturing belonging and affirming our interdependence.
  • Examining policies and practices to ensure our equity work is creating the results needed.
  • Working together and using the privilege we have to remove discriminatory practices and achieve social justice.
MOSAIC Center