Connections - A Renewed Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

“Our goal is to empower and educate all members of our community to facilitate a campus culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion are respected and intentionally valued. We acknowledge that social injustice and inequality exist, and we actively persist in removing barriers.”

That is the new mission statement of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion pillar committee. The committee is led by co-chairs Dr. Robin Riecker, associate dean of academic affairs; and Dr. Jennifer Adjodha-Evans, assistant biology professor, and acts as a conduit for equity-related initiatives and events on campus. While the committee has been a part of the College’s campus governance structure for several years, recent national issues and conversations have led to a resurging commitment on campus to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.  

The DE&I Committee is working to establish a stronger presence on the Herkimer College website; partner with the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement on campus events; provide additional resources to faculty regarding intentional awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom; and generate other initiatives to help support a positive campus climate for all students, faculty, and staff.

Herkimer College demonstrates its commitment to creating an inclusive campus and promoting equity in the community through various initiatives and programs.

Project SEARCH

Herkimer College was the first community college in the nation to bring Project SEARCH to its campus. This international internship program for young adults with disabilities focuses on competitive employment and promoting independence. The local program is a collaboration between Herkimer College and Arc Herkimer. Interns take part in daily classroom instruction and gain hands-on work experience by rotating among on-campus internships.

PRODiG

With funding support from a PRODiG grant through SUNY, Herkimer College is able to invest in recruitment and retention of under-represented minority faculty, establishing a partnership with Future Professoriate Program at Syracuse University, collaborations with the PTech Academy and BOCES, and initiatives that support a welcome campus environment.  

College in Prison

Herkimer College gives course instruction at both Mid-State CorrectionalFacility in Marcy, NY, and Mohawk Correctional Facility in Mohawk, NY. This programs give inmates the opportunity to earn an associate degree while incarcerated, increasing their chances of successfully rejoining the workforce upon the end of their sentences.

Office of International Programming

The Office of International programming works to encourage international students to earn their education at Herkimer College. The staff work closely with students to ensure they have the proper paperwork completed, and collaborate with international recruitment representatives to spread information worldwide. Herkimer College normally enrolls approximately 80 international students per year from over 20 foreign countries.

View the full issue of Connections online at herkimer.edu/alumni/connections-magazine/.