Sept. 23, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s leadership in promoting equity and inclusion recognized by Corp! Magazine with 2020 Diversity Focused Company Award.
The work of GRCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be highlighted during the business publication’s upcoming conference and Salute to Diversity special edition.
The Corp! award is the second time this year GRCC has been recognized for its efforts to strengthen policies and practices that align with principles of diversity, equity, and social justice.
“Grand Rapids Community College has long been a leader on diversity issues,” Corp! Publisher Jennifer Kluge said. “Their efforts to make equity and inclusion a tenet of their beliefs are valued, and we are proud to honor them with this selection.”
GRCC earlier was named one of the 2020 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.
“We’re honored to be recognized for what we have accomplished. It is a testament to our steadfast commitment to develop projects and provide services that advance equity,” said Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, GRCC’s chief equity and inclusion officer. “These are challenging times in our community and our nation as a whole. But the courageous conversations and retooling of institutional practices are necessary and vitally important for our progress.”
Corp! has recognized businesses, organizations, and leaders who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and achievements within their organization or the community with the awards for 13 years.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion align services and programs with the far-reaching goals of the GRCC strategic plan. A core focus of the office is to identify, unearth, acknowledge, and address institutional practices that are exclusionary and upend a sense of belonging and access for any member of GRCC’s community.
ODEI is amid a robust year. Staff members and stakeholders connected to ODEI engaged in community service projects throughout Grand Rapids, developed and facilitated campus events that addressed some of the most challenging issues in our society and celebrated several milestones with community-centered activities. The office also facilitated diversity dialogues at two high schools and boosted personal development, community engagement, and educational achievement through the support of youth conferences with community partners.
Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.