Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles: Moving Forward – May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
Colleagues,
The one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd reminds us that social justice and equity for all is critical to the success of our community and that there is still work to be done globally, nationally, and locally. Our curriculum provides opportunities to help students to understand the world around us and to provide safe spaces to share ideas as they develop the tools and skills to make to meaningfully contributions.
As a college community, we have implemented various initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and to ensure that each of us is valued. The theme and programming of our upcoming Juneteenth celebration, Remembering the Past and Igniting the Future: How do we move forward TODAY?, offers another learning opportunity and space to reflect on our experiences over the past year, especially in the midst of persistent social justice inequities and the continuing impact of the global pandemic. Please watch for information about our Juneteenth celebration and encourage students to participate once details are announced.
Relevant to moving forward, this Diverse Issues in Higher Education piece focuses on six colleges “teaming up to launch a new initiative that they say will change the future of education.” According to the article, “Rapid Education Prototyping” looks to “shift the paradigm on how we approach learning, particularly for underrepresented communities.” Students, high schools, and community organizations will collaborate with participating colleges to design solutions to higher education challenges such as access, completion, and social and economic mobility. This work may have important implications for adult learners, as well. Share your thoughts on this initiative and its goal to improve student outcomes.
Wishing you and your families a safe Memorial Day weekend as we honor the men and women who lost their lives while serving in our military.
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President