Great Lakes Wire

Baker College Center for Graduate Studies issued the following announcement.

Baker College has achieved the Best Practice Category 7.4- D&I Learning and Education designation from the Center for Global Inclusion and the Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World (GDIB).

The GDIB Practice Benchmark 7.4 is awarded when challenging and sometimes controversial issues such as racism, sexism, ageism, classism, heterosexism, religious bias, stereotype threat, and unconscious bias are effectively addressed with sensitivity, fairness, conviction, & compassion.

Baker College (BC) is a private, nonprofit college based in Michigan with campuses in Auburn Hills, Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon and Owosso, offering in-person and online learning opportunities.

DEI is a theme in the College's strategic plan, and the organization has made great strides to increase its staff and faculty's DEI competencies. The Baker DEI Council – which includes representation from Baker College employees and faculty across the system's campuses and departments – helps direct DEI initiatives throughout the Baker College System.

In the past year, a fundamental focus of the Baker DEI Council has been to provide professional DEI development to all staff and faculty. The College's leadership has demonstrated their support for this initiative by making the training mandatory for all staff and faculty, including adjunct faculty.

A subcommittee of the DEI Council, the DEI Training Committee, developed ten learning modules available in a live virtual format being offered throughout the 20-21 academic year. The sessions are also recorded for later playback by those who are unable to attend the live sessions.

The training topics include:

• Demographic Forecast through 2050. (This presentation provides data on the changing demographics in the U.S. and how higher education must adapt to this changing landscape to survive and support our communities' economic growth.)
• Implicit Bias and Stereotypes
• Microaggressions, Allyship, and Advocacy
• Race, Power and Privilege
• Intersectionality
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• LGBTQIA+ and Gender Equity
• Ableism and Disability Justice
• Respect and Inclusion
• Generational Dynamics and Challenges

Baker College firmly believes that improving its staff and faculty's competence will help them achieve their DEI goals and make Baker College an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, faculty, students, and stakeholders.

Original source can be found here.