Belonging, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

As a community college, Delta is open to everyone and respects and values our differences. We embrace diversity, work to address equity gaps, and practice inclusion to foster a culture of belonging at every level of course development, student engagement and human experience.

 

 

Creating a culture of belonging

In 2022, the college established a Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office to focus our long-standing cross-departmental initiatives. The office offers learning and engagement opportunities for students and professional development seminars for employees.

The college as a whole benefits when many different perspectives are represented, valued and supported. By creating a culture of belonging at Delta, we appreciate diversity in identity, experiences, expertise, ideas and opinions of all people.

In addition to race and ethnicity, diversity includes everyone's perspectives and identities. We actively work to include those generally underrepresented in our society based on religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, arrest record, veteran status or disability. 

Belonging

Belonging is the result of continuously embodying socio-cultural support, integration, empathy, acceptance and respect for all, thereby creating a safe space that invites individuals to experience an increasing awareness of and appreciation for their individuality and connectedness within the community.

Equity

Equity is the progressive practice of recognizing and eliminating barriers to opportunities for students, employees and community members. Equity involves recognizing and eliminating both conscious and unconscious biases within institutional and organizational policies, procedures and processes so all stakeholders may thrive.

Diversity

Diversity encompasses the full range of differences and uniqueness that embody the lived human experience including, but not limited to ability, age, education, ethnicity, experiences, family status, gender identity/expression, geographic location, heritage/history, immigration status, income, indigenous status, language, occupation, race, religion, sexual orientation and thoughts.

Inclusion

Inclusion welcomes the contributions, experiences, ideas, and perspectives of all people by proactively addressing obstacles that impede equitable access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making, thereby creating and sustaining a culture of belonging, compassion, respect, appreciation and recognition.

 

 

"The work we do – or do not do – today, will affect future generations. Delta College will continuously work to ensure that education is accessible to the communities we serve by centering a sense of belonging and an intentional approach to equity in all that we do."

Dr. Michael Gavin
Delta College president