Office of Equity & Inclusion

Equity and Social Justice Committee. 2000.60.1 Charge: The Equity and Social Justice Committee provides expertise and leadership to the College regarding district-wide policies and practices related to diversity, inclusion, pluralism and equity within the context of Board of Trustees policies, the College’s strategic plan, and the broad culture of the College. The work of the Equity and Social Justice Committee is directed toward the development of a College environment that is welcoming and respectful of all people, where differences are celebrated but never result in discrimination, and where equity-mindedness is pervasive.

The Professionals of Color Network (ProCon)

The mission and purpose of The Professionals of Color Network (Pro) is to help SVC strengthen its core theme of Community, which seeks to embrace diversity.  The ProCon will also directly contribute to a positive impact on SVC’s goal of increasing the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff of color. To achieve this, ProCon members will meet monthly to develop strategies and projects with the aim of creating a mentoring system for faculty, staff and students of color.  SVC’s Guiding Principle of Collaboration will be the driving force of the ProCon; the group will move forward as one to make SVC glow as an epicenter of educational success and cultural compassion. This written mission and purpose may be updated as the group’s membership evolves.

For more information, please contact:

Khai Le
ProCon Leader
[email protected]

Staff, Teacher and Administration Against Racism (STAAR)

Targeted Membership: All Skagit Valley College employees (particularly those who identify as white) who desire to learn about and combat racism and interlocking forms of oppression.

Mission and Purpose: The mission and purpose of Staff, Teachers and Administrators Against Racism (STAAR) is to organize and build a shared analysis of intersectional anti-racism (and interlocking oppressions) on campus, to be accountable to the Professionals of Color Network (ProCoN) affinity group, and to leverage power and privilege to reinforce the work of (without placing additional undue labor on) students, faculty and staff of color.

STAAR collaborates with students, faculty, and staff of color to create sustainable institutional change by promoting an inclusive and equitable professional community on campus and by focusing on the ongoing, lifelong work of anti-racism education and action.

What are Affinity Groups?

Employee affinity groups provide space for employees to gather and share ideas around common interests. The College recognizes that affinity groups foster employee development, contribute to the College’s environment of belonging and collaboration, support the recruitment and retention of a diverse, high-quality workforce and promote career and professional development. 

Skagit Valley College affinity groups are:

• Employee-formed and employee led.
• Formed around a shared characteristic or common interest that can affect personal or professional development
• Open to all SVC employees, but limited to SVC employees only.
• Operated consistent with, and supportive of, the College’s Strategic Plan.

Further, Skagit Valley College affinity groups may:

• Use College facilities, equipment and technology to prepare and conduct meetings and offer mentoring and training opportunities.
• Operate during regular business hours and other times as desired.

Responsibilities:

• Members must comply with all College policies.
• Supervisor approval is not required to join an affinity group; however, members must coordinate time away from work with supervisor.
• Members and supervisors must ensure that participation does not interfere with regular work responsibilities.
• Overtime eligible members and supervisors must ensure that participation does not generate overtime pay.

Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP recognizes racism’s impact on the mental health of Black, Indigenous, and other people of Color (BIPOC). Please visit Racism & Mental Health Resources for a continually-updated list of resources.

It includes information on supporting mental wellness in the midst of the harmful effects of racism, it includes culturally-specific EAP services and other mental health resources, resources for people who are learning to be anti-racist, and links to the state’s BRGs.