THE WASHINGTON COLLEGE HISTORY PROJECT At its founding in 1782, the College at Chester could have attracted no greater patronage—nor taken any better name—than that of the patriot commander-in-chief who secured the American colonies’ independence from Great Britain. While George Washington is admirable in many ways, his treatment of enslaved and Native American peoples was hardly so. Sadly, the systemic racism upon which our nation was built still permeates our society today. Now, at a time of unprecedented national reckoning for past and present racial injustices, and in such a place as Washington College, which has its own troubled racial history, a full and candid reevaluation of our past is underway. Initiated during the summer of 2020 by the President of Washington College, the Washington College History Project takes as its charge the honest and forthright examination of the legacy of racism and the urgent need to acknowledge and reconcile this history as we dismantle racism on our campus and in our communities.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT We, the students, faculty, staff, and Board of Visitors and Governors of Washington College, welcome, invite, value, and support a diverse community of individuals. We strive to create a place where all can study, work, and thrive. We believe in the worth, dignity, and safety of human beings of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, gender identities and/or expressions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, cultural backgrounds, cognitive or physical abilities, emotional and behavioral characteristics, ages, and educational levels. In the pursuit of academic excellence, we endeavor to be a community made up of people from a variety of backgrounds with differing perspectives, life experiences, religious, philosophical and political beliefs, lifestyles, and ideologies. We pledge to create a respectful and supportive environment for collaboration, empathy, and the building of meaningful relationships among members of Washington College. We commit to fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and engaged community that embraces all the complexity that each person brings to campus. We will empower all members to contribute ideas, ask questions, contest assumptions, and revise points of view through civil debate. We will confront and challenge attempts to dehumanize others through prejudiced attitudes, behaviors, and practices that exclude, demean, or marginalize any individual or group. We will encourage alumni, parents, visitors, guests, and the wider community to respect and embrace the values and behaviors that we embody. Our promise is to cultivate a continuous desire and ability to understand and meaningfully engage with different perspectives and experiences, including those of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. We seek to contribute to the full intellectual and emotional development of every person and to the enrichment of our local, regional, national, and global communities.
Sociology major Jada Aristilde ’21, who worked on a community curation project while interning with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, is a member of the College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Photo by Leah L. Jones for the Smithsonian Institution, NMAAHC.
DIMENSIONS of
diversity
A MULTICULTURAL CAMPUS
their respective communities and foster dialogue and understanding for the betterment of the entire campus.
Global Education Office
Monthly Mixers Monthly Mixers provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students of color (including allies and friends) to connect with one another in an informal environment. A cultural exchange that includes music, food, fellowship, mentoring opportunities, and relevant announcements are shared at each mixer.
The Global Education Office provides international and intercultural educational experiences for all Washington College students. GEO promotes and facilitates study abroad for Washington College students and supports all visiting exchange and matriculating international students through mentorship programming, intercultural campus activities, and off-campus trips.
Office of Intercultural Affairs Intercultural Affairs is committed to creating an inclusive environment that is essential for all students’ cultural development and academic success. Regardless of a person’s identity, the office will: • Develop and educate citizen leaders • Foster intercultural engagement • Provide opportunities for self-awareness and reflection across differences The vision of Intercultural Affairs is to create a community in which all people feel valued and find worth in their authentic selves. To learn more about all that the Office of Intercultural Affairs has to offer, please visit washcoll.edu/intercultural-affairs.
INTERCULTURAL INITIATIVES Intercultural Ambassador Program Intercultural Ambassadors are student leaders representing different cultural and life experiences including the LGBTQ community, first-generation college students, international students, students of color, faith and non-faith efforts on campus, gender, students with disabilities, non-traditional students, and students with low socioeconomic backgrounds. They serve as points of contact for
Campus Events The Office of Intercultural Affairs works closely with student organizations, the Office of Student Engagement, Residence Life, Student Government Association, the Student Events Board, Starr Center, and Admissions to co-sponsor inclusive, educational, social, and cultural events for all to enjoy at WC; some of our favorite events include Holi Festival of Colors and LatinX Heritage Month Celebration.
Event Spotlight: Martin Luther King Day of Service MLK Day of Service strives to educate and engage the WC and Chestertown community through a day of service and cultural events. Notable events from the 2020 MLK Day of Service include a musical celebration with the MSG Blues Trio and the Racial Equity Institute’s Groundwater Training, which was open to all members of the WC community. “The Black Student Union became a large part of my life as a freshman, they are a family to me. I’ve grown with the organization all four years and BSU has turned me into a wellrounded woman. It has taught me how to connect, network, and speak out about what I feel.” Destiny Harris ‘21, BSU President
Safe Space Program Through Safe Space, Washington College strives to create an inclusive environment for all members of the campus community. Safe Space is a nationally recognized program that provides educational training designed to support and create a network of allies for the Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Gay, and Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) community on-campus. Center for the Study of Black Culture The Center for the Study of Black Culture provides the Washington College community with cultural, educational, and social events that uniquely illuminate the particular experiences of African-Americans. Student Multicultural and Service Organizations: African Student Union Amnesty International Best Buddies Black Student Union Caring for Kids Catholic Campus Ministry Chinese Culture Club Christian Campus Fellowship Cleopatra’s Sisters DREAM (Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring) Encouraging Respect of Sexuality (EROS) Food Recovery Network French Club
German Club Hillel Habitat for Humanity International Relations Club International Studies Council Latin American Student Union Muslim Student Union Shore Steppers Spanish Club Student Environmental Alliance Supporting All Gender Experiences (SAGE) Washington College Student Veterans Association
Giving Back to the Community Service is a great way for Washington College students to give back to the College and Chestertown communities, and it can be one of the most gratifying experiences you have during college. Along with dedicating their time to improve the community, many WC students are involved in community work to gain professional experience or build relationships beyond those made on campus. Each year, WC student organizations give back 5,000 hours of community service to a variety of charities, both locally and nationally.
STUDENT RESOURCES Washington Scholars While we are committed to providing a quality education to all, we also understand that a Washington College education may not be easily attainable to some. That is why we started the Washington Scholars Program, an assistance program designed to make it easier to reach for a Washington College education. The Washington Scholars Program meets the full need of a select cohort of highachieving, high-need students. We are committed to providing an amazing college experience and providing our Washington Scholars with access to every resource
that Washington College provides. Through special programming and mentorship, we help Scholars make the most of their four years on campus. Resources for First-Generation College Students Being the first in your family to attend college is a very proud accomplishment, but it comes with unique challenges. In a joint effort through many offices on campus, including Intercultural Affairs, Financial Aid, Student Affairs, and the Career Center, Washington College strives to provide first-generation students with all the support they need to thrive as members of the Washington College community. The Office of Intercultural Affairs’ Ambassador Program provides networking opportunities and mixers for fellow first-generation students, in addition to creating deeper connections with campus resources. Yellow Ribbon Program At Washington College, we do everything we can to champion the hopes and dreams of those who have served or continue to serve. Our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program allows us to provide an outstanding tuition-free liberal arts education for service members or their eligible dependents. Anyone eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI Bill® will have 100% of their tuition and fees covered at Washington College. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill. Religious Resources Washington College is a religiously and spiritually diverse community and we welcome students of every religious background and tradition. We aim to give all students the resources they need to be able to practice their faith accordingly, as well as interfaith and secular spaces for quiet contemplation, such as the Kirwan Meditation Garden. Additionally, the Office of Intercultural Affairs is always happy to provide support to students seeking to set up private areas for prayer on campus or secure transportation to churches, mosques, and temples.
Want to explore more of Washington College? Washington College is committed to fostering a stronger culture of equity and inclusion on campus and in our community. To find out more about our resources, programs, and initiatives please visit washcoll.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion. Want to chat? Head to washcoll.edu/meettheteam to connect with your admissions counselor, they love to answer questions! Visit washcoll.edu/askastudent to connect with a current Washington College student!