Equity and Inclusion
“When we sit together in circles and listen to one another, we begin to recognize that we are all one.” W.K. Kellogg Foundation: https://healourcommunities.org
the school community as it deepens its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
g n i t a r b e l e our Diversity C From healing circles and LGBTQ+ pride events to a bold new initiative to establish the College of Lake County as a center for truth, racial healing and transformation, the Diversity Council is at the forefront of CLC’s efforts to create a more inclusive, equitable and compassionate world.
Next up is the Council’s most ambitious initiative to date: the launch of the college’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) initiative. “Lorri and Jesse, along with a few others, were responsible for the college’s proposal to become a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center,” notes Dr. Suddick. “Our work on this project will begin this summer in “The response has been extremely positive,” says Scott. “People
partnership with the Workforce Development Board and United Way
appreciate the opportunity to talk about race, misunderstandings and
Lake County.”
microaggressions. They want to discuss ways to improve their own skills and responses to those issues as a community.”
“CLC President Dr. Lori Suddick introduced us to the concept of
Through this initiative, CLC will join colleges and universities across the country in a nationwide, community-based effort to bring about
community and restorative circles in 2018,” explains Morales, a college
In recent years, the Diversity Council also has created diversity, equity
transformational, sustainable change and address the historic and
administrator and adjunct faculty member who is a passionate proponent
and inclusion (DEI) statements to guide the school’s 2024 strategic plan,
contemporary effects of racism.
of culturally responsive teaching. “We began to research the topic in
worked with the school’s leadership to create the first gender-neutral
2019. In summer 2020, we trained with a restorative justice practitioner
restroom on campus and updated every gender-assigned restroom on
“Our community partners will be instrumental in helping us develop
to learn restorative practices and gain insights into circle topics such as
campus with signage that invites students to use the restroom that best
and implement our TRHT action plan during the coming year,” says
community building, peacekeeping and racial healing. Around that time,
aligns with their gender identity.
Scott. “We will rely heavily on their guidance, mentoring and input as
we accelerated the development of the Lancer Circle program because we
we develop a plan that incorporates the perspectives and needs of our
could see that there was a growing need in the school community for a
“We had a lot of conversations about inclusivity and making every
By September 2020—eight months into a deadly pandemic after a
safe space where people could come together to talk about challenging,
member of our school community feel welcomed—especially those who
summer of divisive politics and widespread protests against racial
sensitive topics.”
might feel marginalized in society as a whole,” explains Morales. “One
It’s been a busy couple of years for the Diversity Council and the college’s
aspect of our campus that was not welcoming was our bathroom signage.
leadership team as they work together to foster success for every student
injustice—our nation was in dire need of healing.
students and faculty, as well as the larger community.”
Rooted in the circle process used by Indigenous Peoples for millennia,
So we changed the old, gender-restrictive signs to gender-inclusive ones.
and employee by creating an inclusive, equitable and barrier-free
At College of Lake County, some of that healing was already happening
contemporary community and restorative circles seek to unearth
It was an easy fix that had an immediate, positive impact.”
environment that enables them to achieve their academic, career and
as a dozen members of the college community convened virtually to
and unlearn the deeply held and often unconscious beliefs created by
share their lived experiences of race, racism and racial justice in the
racism, particularly the belief in a “hierarchy of human value,” which
During the 2019–20 academic year, the Council’s efforts to create a more
college’s first Lancer Circle.
is the perception of inferiority or superiority based on race, physical
inclusive campus culture continued with the debut of a new “Through
But Dr. Suddick and Diversity Council are just getting started.
characteristics or place of origin.
Our Eyes” speaker series featuring Latinx and African American
“We’re working hard to make progress and take actions that fulfill the
According to Diversity Council co-chairs Lorri Scott and Jesse Morales— the experience was a cathartic one for everyone involved.
personal goals.
presenters. The Council also kicked off the College’s first LGBTQ+
diversity, equity and inclusion statements created by the Council in 2018,
Since that first Lancer Circle, hundreds of CLC students, faculty members
pride celebration with a virtual presentation by non-binary trailblazer
which are integrated into our 2024 Strategic Plan,’ she says.
and staff have participated in more than 35 virtual circles on topics such as
Kate Bornstein, who spoke about her challenges and achievements as a
“It’s important to have those statements, but it’s even more important
“The time was ripe for us to provide a space for healing after the tensions
unintentional harm, open-mindedness, developing trust, the 2020 presidential
gender-nonconforming actress. Currently, the Council is in the process
to take action.”
of the summer of 2020,” says Scott, a legal studies instructor at the college.
election, navigating conflict, standing against racism and bias triggers.
of drafting anti-racism and land-acknowledgement statements to guide
10 CLC CONNECTS
JUNE 2021 11
