2017 GHC Diversity & Inclusion Booklet

GHC Diversity and Inclusion

GHC GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE

A Collection of Works to Reflect and Celebrate GHC’s Diverse College Community

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s you take a few moments to enjoy our collection of images and words, please allow me to emphasize how proud we, as the GHC community, are of the culture of the institution. Students, faculty, staff and administrators are encouraged to embrace creative and innovative thinking, to

welcome ideas from everyone as we work toward an educational and working environment that is dynamic, progressive and global in perspective. You’ll see evidence of success throughout these pages. Join us in our journey to continue the creation of a place of higher education where everyone feels welcome, respected and genuinely can say “WE ARE GHC”.

President Georgia Highlands College

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“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.�

Maya Angelou

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Mission Statement The mission of Georgia Highlands College, a state college of the University System of Georgia, is to provide access to excellent educational opportunities for the intellectual, cultural and physical development of a diverse population through pre-baccalaureate associate degree transfer programs, career associate degree programs and targeted baccalaureate degree programs that meet the economic development needs of the region.

Mission Goals To achieve this mission of being a gateway to success for students, Georgia Highlands College has articulated the following goals:

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Effect quality teaching and learning focused on academic achievement and personal and professional growth.

Provide comprehensive student services that encourage and enable all students to be successful learners.

Engage students in a challenging atmosphere that prepares them for responsibility and leadership in an evolving global environment.

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Utilize appropriate technologies to advance programs, services and operations to support teaching and learning.

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Maintain efficient and effective administrative services and facilities to support all programs at the college.

Foster community relationships that facilitate partnering for mutual success.

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Georgia Highlands College

African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) Brother 2 Brother (B2B) Brother2Brother, part of the Georgia Highlands College African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) is an organization that mentors and supports minority male students. Directed by Dr. Jon Hershey, Dean of the Humanities Division, the program has won accolades from the University System of Georgia and the Board of Regents.

Georgia Highlands College African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) initiative seeks to increase the enrollment, retention, progression and graduation rates of African American and Latino men at GHC. B2B is part of a national organization, founded to encourage young African-American males to continue their education and achieve their personal goals. Its presence on the Georgia Highlands campuses is part of the USG’s African-American Male Initiative (AAMI), created to increase the enrollment, retention and graduation rates of minority males.

GHC’s participation with AAMI began in Fall 2008 on the Floyd campus with seven students. Membership in the program has grown to 130 students from all campuses.

Retention and graduation rates for this initiative have grown, as this organization members boasts higher graduation and retention rates than the general student population at GHC. B2B meets at on all five GHC campus locations once a week. Each chapter has its own officers and organizes campus activities, leadership opportunities and community service projects.

GHC faculty and staff advisors provide guidance, teach leadership skills, and serve as mentors to B2B members.

The 100 Black Men of Rome-NWGA have served as community partners with B2B since its inception in 2008.

B2B members attend the annual national conference of the Student African-American Brotherhood. GHC’s B2B chapter is one 260 official chapters of SAAB. At the conference, five chapters are singled out for honors. GHC’s B2B chapter has received the Stellar Chapter of the Year award, three out of the last four years.

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Brother 2 Brother Awards National Chapter of the Year 2015, 2014, 2012 National Stellar Chapter 2013 Georgia Highlands Diversity Achievement Award 2015

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“My name is Evan Snelling and Brother 2 Brother has impacted me immensely. Once I began my journey at Georgia Highlands College, I was unsure as how to thrive in a college environment and unaware of the trials and tribulations which I would endure. While somewhat familiar with certain phrases and departments affiliated with the college, such as with Financial Aid, the Admissions process and Student Life, I was unfamiliar with where offices and departments were located, unable to access my student account and failed to realize the importance of time management. Becoming a member of GHAME/Brother 2 Brother changed my outlook on college and without a doubt guided my path to graduation. If it were not for GHAME/Brother 2 Brother I believe my road to success would have been more difficult and unyielding. Fortunately, I had GHAME/Brother 2 Brother to help develop me develop as a person and student and I plan to continue developing and growing with the principles garnered through GHAME/Brother 2 Brother.�

Evan Snelling

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Foundation Camp

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The Foundation Camp is a free two-week day camp that serves underprivileged or “at risk” teen and preteen boys between the ages of 10 and 14 in our area.

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It is named “Foundation Camp” to emphasize the goals of building a foundation for a good future for the campers.

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The summer of 2016 was the 11th annual camp and 136 boys took part in the activities.

The camp takes place on the GHC Floyd campus and includes academics, athletics and a variety of activities that emphasize self-respect, confidence, motivation and teamwork.

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The primary goal is to improve the confidence of the campers, to help them explore academic subjects in creative and meaningful ways, to show them the value of teamwork, to offer them important life skills and to give them a positive experience on a college campus.

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The camp is a partnership between the 100 Black Men of Rome-NW Georgia and GHC. The GHC Foundation Camp is possible due to the generosity of donors and the GHC

“Foundation Camp is an opportunity for us as a college community to strengthen the lives of our young men through brotherhood, accountability, and respect for others.

We give our campers an opportunity to engage in a positive experience on a college campus where they can see themselves as future college students and graduates.

At Foundation Camp we make our campers believe, YES YOU CAN!�

David Mathis PHED Programs Manager Assistant Director of Athletics

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Corey began attending GHC Foundation Camp at the age of 10 and attended every year he could. Corey said he was from a broken home and set up for failure. Foundation Camp had a huge impact on him. He met new people, learned good communication skills and met positive role models.

Foundation Camp is still an important part of Corey’s life. He has volunteered at the camp for 11 years and is now the assistant director. Corey says that no matter what job he has, he will always have to have vacation time to be a part of Foundation Camp.

He is a 2010 GHC graduate, a former firefighter and has his own business as a personal trainer. In his own words. “I got molded into a pretty good guy!”

According to Corey, Foundation Camp is a wonderful experience where boys get to grow and develop. What the campers learn here stays with them.

Corey’s nephew is a camper now and it makes Corey happy that there is a new generation of “Pitts” at the camp!

Corey Pitts 11

David is a current GHC student. David started attending GHC Foundation Camp at the age of 10 because his mother sent him. He didn’t like camp at first, because he didn’t like to be around other kids, but soon he was attending every year he could.

David is now majoring in Middle School Education.

David said that this is his fourth year volunteering and felt he wouldn’t be doing his best if he didn’t come. By volunteering at the Foundation Camp, he helps the students grow.

David Smith

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Latino Outreach Empowering Latino Students The purpose of the Latino Outreach Initiative is to empower Latino students to complete and continue their education. Our goal is to provide Latino students with the tools and resources they need to access an affordable college education and graduate from Georgia Highlands College. Our efforts to embrace and educate the Latino community will attract more Latino students to GHC and engage our current Latino students and our Latino partners in the community.

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The purpose of the initiative is to empower Latino students to complete and continue their education. This provides students with the tools and resources they need to access an affordable college education and graduate from GHC.

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Our efforts to embrace and educate the Latino community has attracted more Latino students to GHC and engaged the current Latino students and the Latino partners in the community.

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Community partners include Generacion Latina (GLINC), which is a non-profit after school program that helps establish a bridge between local high schools and Georgia colleges and universities.

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La Mano is GHC’s student organization which partners with Brother 2 Brother to provide positive solutions to the educational, cultural, social, spiritual and intellectual needs of the Latino male college students at GHC; and to provide opportunities for leadership development and campus and community service.

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GHC was recently selected as one of three recipients in Georgia to receive a competitive “Latino American’s: 500 Years of History” grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. Grant funds awarded ($3,000) were used to hold public programming about Latino history and culture.

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The Latino Outreach Initiative has hosted and attended several high school and community outreach events.

“As the Executive Director of Generación Latina, Inc. (GLINC), non-profit organization empowering and educating high school Latino youth, I am deeply appreciative of Georgia Highlands College's dedication to the Latino community. Georgia Highlands College understands the importance of valuing underrepresented groups such as Latino students by providing the tools and access to higher education and, ultimately, a brighter and successful future. GHC faculty and staff have helped our students with scholarship awareness, job interview skills and so much more. Not only do they actively participate at our current after school program at Osborne High School, but they have also assisted us in expanding to Cartersville High School. Our new after school program at Cartersville High School is led by current GHC college students, faculty and staff. GLINC is proud to have Georgia Highlands College as a community and educational partner. Together we are empowering our future generation to follow their dreams and achieve excellence.”

Melissa Gutiérrez

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“My name is Amanda Ferreira De Souza. As a 21-year-old college sophomore at GHC, I never envisioned myself going back to high school. But during the spring semester of 2016, I found myself going back to mentor during information sessions through GLINC (Generación Latina) at Cartersville High School. The goal of the program is to educate Latino high school students of their options regarding higher education. Topics covered during these sessions included college planning, career success, scholarships, and social media responsibility.

While these sessions are designed to benefit the students, I found the experience to be rewarding for me as well.”

Amanda Ferreira De Souza

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“My name is Emmanuel (Manny) Castrejon. Ever since Georgia Highlands College became a part of GLINC (Generacion Latina), it has helped us face many obstacles and guide our students to a brighter future. When Abraham and Travice attended our after school sessions, I can guarantee that all of the students left with something new they learned that day. They have helped us out a lot from explaining how college life is like to getting ready for a job interview. I want to thank Georgia Highlands for preparing me for my future.�

Emmanuel (Manny) Castrejon

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Got your 6 Understanding Student Veterans In the military, “Got your 6” means “I’ve got your back.” It originated with WW1 fighter pilots referencing a pilot’s rear as the six o’clock position. It is now a common term in the military that highlights the loyalty and cooperation found in military culture. At GHC, “Got Your 6” focuses on the wellness of our student veterans.

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In Spring 2015, GHC certified 141 students for VA Education Benefits.

GHC was designated Military Friendly in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Amy Wise is the full-time Veteran Coordinator. There is a Veterans Resource Center located at the Floyd Campus as well as the Cartersville and Paulding Sites.

GHC has an active Student Veterans Association.

“Got your 6” helps faculty and staff understand the student veteran.

“I enjoy having the veterans’ resource center on campus. It fosters an environment of camaraderie between vet students and faculty at the school. Also, when my National Guard drill dates interfere with schools, my teachers are very accommodating.”

Ryan Holman

“Georgia Highlands was a wonderful surprise and blessing to me as an Army veteran and non-traditional student. I was welcomed with open arms and truly accepted for the person that I am. I was able to have classes with other veterans that understood the stress of returning to school late in life and dealing with family at the same time. Amy Wise the veterans rep on campus was a God send.

She was a therapist, cheerleader, coach and drill sargent all in one.

She did whatever was needed to help veterans out and to make sure we stayed in school. Now as a recent graduate I am very thankful for all of the support GHC provided over my time there and I am prepared for whatever the future holds.”

Will Scott 18

Woman to Woman Guiding Young Women Toward Success The Woman to Woman organization was created in 2010 to connect to and support young women at GHC. The organization encourages women to pursue and achieve their personal goals and share their unique gifts and ideas.

Woman to Woman encourages understanding among women of different classes, cultures and ethnic backgrounds. It focuses on community service projects and personal character development and accountability.

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Woman to Woman provides a supportive atmosphere for women to explore their concerns, focusing on developing their communication skills, volunteering in the community and the general wellbeing of women in all aspects of their lives.

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In 2015, the organization held its first leadership conference, “The Patchwork of Power”.

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The conference was a gathering of generations of successful women of diverse ethnicities and experiences coming together to inspire and broaden the professional and personal lives of all present.

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In 2015, the Douglasville chapter of Woman to Woman conducted a toiletry drive collecting over 300 items for the ShareHouse in Douglasville. ShareHouse is a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence.

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Woman to Woman joined forces with Brother 2 Brother and prepared over 60 sack lunches and gave them out to the homeless in underground Atlanta.

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Since Woman to Woman of Douglasville did not have a budget they had a bake sale fall and spring semesters to help with projects for the group.

“Being a part of Woman to Woman has taught me a lot from leadership skills, communication skills, working with others, and several other things such as networking in the community, making lasting relationships with community partners. I love sharing my experiences with others within the GHC and in the community.

According to my experience, being President of Woman to Woman has motivated me to do more public speaking and planning events such as the Multicultural event in 2014 and the “Patchwork to Power” Leadership conference that was held in 2015. I have also helped with the end of the year banquet at Walnut Mountain, organizing the Spelman campus tour, the Multiple Sclerosis and Breast Cancer awareness walks and many activities on campus as well with Student Life. Keanna Jones is President of Woman to Woman at the Marietta Site.”

Keanna Jones

“While in high school, I had to work to help my mom and was never involved in clubs or organizations. When I became a student at GHC, one of my goals was to seek out a club or organization where I could become active. Julia Areh introduced me to Woman to Woman and I believed this would be a great opportunity to become involved as an active student in an organization with GHC. Woman to Woman is an empowerment group and serves the community. Being a part of this organization I learned how to encourage others and myself, developed leadership skills, and became a leader for the organization. Being an alumni of GHC and a current employee, I am proud to serve as one of the Douglasville’s advisors for Woman to Woman and help these young women develop their skills that will help to make them the best that they can be. Nivenitie McDaniel ia an Enrollment Management Specialist at Georgia Highlands College in Douglasville.”

Nivenitie McDaniel 20

Share Your Story The “Share Your Story” initiative was first introduced to GHC in fall 2015. Everyone was invited to volunteer to share what makes them who they are, a unique individual and part of the rich makeup of GHC’s college family.

Those who volunteered met for an informal gathering to share food and drinks while developing a storyboard and video about themselves. Every category of college community individual was represented, students, faculty, staff and administrators. What an incredible evening it was sharing details of our lives and getting to know each other better. The storyboards have been prominently displayed in our college buildings and have opened up conversations that may not have happened without them. We anxiously await the opportunity for a second annual “Share Your Story” gathering.

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“Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Expanding your mind and broadening your frame of reference require us to include new knowledge and new paradigms. This is how we grow and develop over a lifetime...We may think we are different but we are all connected in various ways!�

Professor Tom Harnden

Erin Chance 22

Leslie Terrell-Payne 23

Greg Ford

Sean Callahan

Michelle Edwards 24

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Moving Forward Our “GHC Diversity and Inclusion” team hopes you enjoy this collection of images and highlights of activities around our college community. We are sharing these wonderful examples which reflect the respect and sense of family that is woven into the fabric of our “We Are GHC” culture. Please engage with us in some capacity and experience it for yourself.

Your “GHC Diversity and Inclusion” Team Sherri Beideck Jeff Brown Sean Callahan Tom Harnden Faith Miller Ginni Siler

Assistant Director, Admissions and Registor Director, Digital Media Services Assistant Professor, Division of Social Sciences, Business and Education Professor, Division of Natural Sciences and Physical Education Human Resources Director VP/Chief Human Resources Officer

The development of this collection is just the beginning. We will build on our progress and insure that GHC continues to embrace and celebrate individuality and our common hopes, dreams, and successes.

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GHC WE ARE

GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE highlands.edu

Cover art by: Jordon Heaton