Equity and Inclusion Office
The mission of the Prairie State College Equity and Inclusion Office is to provide campus-wide leadership and support on matters relating to equity, inclusion, and culturally relevant best practices for all members of the PSC community.
The office supports the college’s efforts to ensure that students, faculty, and staff learn and work in environments that actively promote a culture of inclusive excellence.
The goals of the Equity and Inclusion Office are to:
- Ensure an institutional focus on equity, and inclusion
- Eliminate the systemic and historical barriers of discrimination in order to provide equal opportunity and education for all
- Foster a welcoming, engaging and inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the Prairie State College Community
- Address and respond to the goals of the Prairie State College, Strategic / Strategic Enrollment Management Plans regarding Equity, Inclusion, and Achievement Gap disparities
- Collaborate with Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research offices to provide data that informs college decision-making on equity, and inclusion efforts
- Establish educational programs and initiatives on inclusive pedagogy, cultural competency, and equity-mindedness
- Celebrate and affirm the strengths of our vibrant, and diverse community
Equity Toolkit
Website Links
Videos
Week 1
https://youtu.be/XLfJME7gnKkWeek 2
https://youtu.be/M1dML1IHO6EWeek 3
https://youtu.be/75C5EuxyjXUWeek 4
https://youtu.be/Lrrb0SKrJdEWeek 5
https://youtu.be/QN8JEgQV-dgStudent Engagement Framework
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Supporting Guided Pathways
- Connect students to career services
- Increase college retention by helping students overcome obstacles to matriculation
- Increase college retention by helping students navigate the college environment
Students displeased with any aspect of their academic experience, outside of final grades are encouraged to initiate complaint redress with the source.
A complaint is not considered formal until a student has completed a student complaint form.
Student Complaints about Final grades are managed through the Academic Affairs, Grade Change Appeal Process.
Complaints related to Sexual Misconduct are managed through the Prairie State College Title IX adjudication procedures.
First Generation College Students
We hear the term “first-generation college student”, but what exactly does that mean and how does that impact you as a new student? Simply put, a first-generation college student is a student who does not come from a traditionally college bound background – this means neither of the student’s parents have attended college or earned their degree. These students often come from middle- to low-income families.
Many of these students struggle to experience the same level of success as their fellow students. In fact, a 2008 study by the Pell Institute found that low-income, first-generation students were nearly four times more likely to drop out of college after their first year than a student who had neither of these risk factors.
Whether this is your first time going to college or you are an excited parent encouraging your child to "Start Near and Go Far", Prairie State College is here to share resources and help students achieve their academic goals. Explore our Equity and Inclusion page and feel free to contact us to set up a virtual meeting.