Project updates

February 17, 2021

This task force was established with the purpose of developing a series of actionable and meaningful recommendations that would address diversity, equity, and inclusion issues within our organization. During the February 17. 2021 Board Meeting, Dr. Sullivan presented the recommendations to the LCTCS Board of Supervsors. To view the full list of recommendations, click here. 

February 8, 2021

Shared invitation to the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium survey designed to collect input on the climate of diversity & equity across Louisiana's Community and Technical Colleges.

January 28, 2021

Completed analysis of data colected from the Women's Leadership Academy interest survey. The task force has identified a consultant to use this data to design and facilitate the academy. 

December 9, 2020

BRCC is pleased to announce Symone D. Sanders, Chief Spokesperson and Senior Advisor for Vice President Kamala Harris, will be moderating a Fire Side Chat with national and local leaders about the implications of diversity, equity and the committment for inclusion in education. The event will be hosted on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 11:30. The event is free and open to the public. Register today! 

December 2, 2020

One of the early recommendations from the Taskforce is to establish the LCTCS Women’s Leadership Academy. This Academy would complement and build on the success of the Women’s Leadership Summit held during the Annual LCTCS Conference. Before establishing the academy, we want to hear from you. Below is a survey sent exclusively to all women employees within the LCTCS. We value your thoughts and ideas. Please take a few minutes to complete the short survey to help us build the LCTCS Women’s Leadership Academy. The survey will run through December 31, 2020. 

LCTCS Women's Leadership Academy Survey 

The HEDS Diversity and Equity Campus Climate Survey asks students, faculty, staff, and administrators about their perceptions of their institution’s climate, perceptions of how their institution supports diversity and equity, and experiences with discrimination and harassment at their institution. LCTCS will be administering the campus climate survey for all LCTCS colleges during the spring 2021 semester. 

Don't miss the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-Community Colleges and Covid 19 panel discussion. The discussion will be held December 17, 2020 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. 

November 19, 2020

The Access and Success subcommittee is researching a mentorship program for students and staff. The Community Engagement subcommittee recommended each college create a diversity counsel to enhance the partnerships with the college and the community. The Institutional Infrastucture and Culture subcommittee is working to identify job titles, room names, etc that may have an impact on DEI. The group also recommended the colleges conduct focus groups. Lastly, the team discussed strategies to ensure all groups and issues related to LGBTQ, African American Males and White Males in rural areas are including in our initiatives. 

November 6, 2020

The taskforce discussed the Women's Leadership Academy Series. The academy will complement and build on the success of the Women's Leadership Summit held during the LCTCS Conference. Please be on the lookout for a survey! We are also working on a system-wide Campus Climate Survey. 

October 22, 2020

Join LCTCS for Session 2 of an 8-part chat series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Attend all 8 sessions of the series from October 2020 through May 2021 to earn continuing education credits. The next session, Addressing Unconscious Bias will be November 19, 2020. Register today! 

September 16, 2020

The taskforce heard updates from the Education & Professional Development, Access & Success for Students and Community Engagement subcommittees. 

Join LCTCS on October 7th or 14th to kick-off an 8 part chat series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. You can earn CEUs if you attend all sessions! Register today! 

September 15, 2020 kicks off Hispanic Heritage month. 

Adult Education and Family Literacy week begins September 20, 2020 through September 26, 2020. Helpful resources can be found here. 

September 2, 2020

The task force discussed the members of each subcommittee. The subcommittees will begin meeting to design, rethink and question policies and processes impacting the diversity, equity and inclusion of LCTCS. The taskforce was presented with a draft agenda, including topics that will be presented at the LCTCS annual conference. Lastly, we welcomed new college representatives, Maria Esperanza (RPCC), Tarie Roberson (LCTCS), Erika McConduit (LCTCS Board Member), James Thomas (NLTCC), and Shonora Johnson (NLTCC).

Take a listen to the What's Next Louisiana Podcast, presenting "The Student Experience: A Discussion Around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 6:00pm on youtube.com/golctcs.

August 19, 2020

The task force reviewed and adopted 5 subcommittees and chairs. The subcommittees are listed below: 

• Access and Success for Students
• Access and Success for Employees
• Professional Development
• Community Engagement
• Institutional Infrastructure and Culture 

A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion track has been added to the LCTCS annual conference. Lastly, we welcomed new college representatives, Beonica Frazier (BPCC), Sharonda Mikle (BPCC), Tierney Bashara (BPCC) and Maria Cisneros (DCC). 

August 5, 2020

The task force reviewed and adopted the mission statement for the group and discussed professional develop opportunities. The mission statement is: The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) is composed of individuals from different races, ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic statuses, religious backgrounds, genders, gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations. Through data-driven recommendations, the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion seeks to help facilitate the system's ongoing efforts to foster a culture of mutual respect for its students, faculty and staff; and to attract, retain, and promote employees from all backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities. The Task Force will work to enhance, improve and transform the academic and workplace experience within LCTCS.  

July 22, 2020

Dr. Taniecea Mallery, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Chief Diversity Officer at University of Louisiana Lafayette presented on the work she is doing to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and provided a framework for inclusive excellence. The following are the basis of the framework: 

• Access and Success
• Education and Professional Development
• Climate and Intergroup Relations
• Institutional Infrastructure
• Community Engagement

Rene Cintron and Amy Cable demoed the Student Diversity Dashboard. The dashboard will be published in the coming weeks. Lastly, we welcomed two student representatives, Tara Mitchell, BRCC SGA President and LCTCS Student Board Member and Joshua Turner, CLTCC SGA President and LCTCS Student Board Member.

JULY 8, 2020

Quintin Taylor hosted the first of many meetings with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce. The following topics were discussed: 

• Adoption of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion definition
• Mission and Vision for taskforce
• Current college efforts and strategies 
• LCTC Webpage

JULY 2, 2020

Taskforce confirmed and draft website created.