Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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Overview

The Capital Community understands our role as a key stakeholder in the health and vitality of the region and the impact we make as an anti-poverty institution and “disruptor” of cycles of poverty that impact many of the residents of Hartford.

We have organized and committed ourselves to “doing more and better” to serve those that entrust their futures to our stewardship.
Our equity-minded campus culture and environment (classrooms, social spaces, offices, etc.) foster a sense of “belonging” by our faculty, staff, and students.

We unrelentingly seek to partner and lock arms with community-based organizations, corporations, and civic leaders that are also interested in providing ladders, “hand-ups”, and whatever is required to ensure our students have access to the middle class and beyond.

VISION

The vision for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Center is a space in which College departments and community partner agencies work collaboratively to serve, educate, empower, and support members of our college community on their unique journeys to becoming who they aspire to be.

Mission

The mission of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center is to provide a complementary space where, in meaningful and transformative ways, students overcome barriers to success, remain in school and complete their course of study. Programs and services offered through the center will be informed by scholarship, culturally relevant practice, and a strengths-based process.
We have identified four primary strategies to create a more equity-minded campus:

The Equity Center/Student Support Services

The Equity Center offers or coordinates a variety of non-academic support services to assist our students so they persist and complete certificate or degree programs. These services include, but are not limited to:

Single Stop Benefit/Resource Self-Screen
Housing Assistance
Emergency Micro grants
Book Scholarship
Mental Wellness
Nursing Mother’s Lounge

OTHER SUPPORTS ON CAMPUS

Bus Passes
Food Pantry
Laptop Loan Program
Veterans Services and Oasis Center

DEI Learning

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion activities, events, programs and professional development opportunities are provided by a variety of entities, including the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Center for Teaching, Student Activities, etc. Equity development is not the responsibility of one office; services are provided throughout the college.

DEI Policy and Advocacy

Capital Community College follows the policies of the BOR and soon to be CT State. Policies are found in the faculty, staff, and student handbooks. (In future link to BOR/CSCU Policies page)
The Director of the Center for DEI focuses on the proactive side of DEI, not investigation and compliance. When necessary, the Director of the Center of DEI works with the CT State’s DEI Office to facilitate civil rights investigations on the campus. This includes but is not limited to assisting students and parent in filing grievances, coordinating campus level decision-making panels, coordinating supportive measures, and helping investigators to identify witnesses and schedule interviews.
DEI staff advocate for our students in the community to ensure they receive services in a timely and appropriate manner.

Data Collection/Equity-Related Assessments

Capital Community College and CT State develop, execute, disseminate, and evaluate a variety of assessments to gain equity-related information to support our students and to inform programming and to measure progress. See assessments under Important Links/Resources

Equity Center Staff (22-23)

Carl Guerriere, Director, Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Lisa Bianchi, Wellness Counselor
Donna Brown-Roberts, Navigator
Karla Rodgriguez, Student Equity Ambassador
Lyka Mtambo, Intern