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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

YVC’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan integrates DEI efforts within YVC’s five strategic directions by establishing work groups charged with meeting the deliverables of House Bills 5194 and 5227 as well as YVC DEI efforts. Work groups include administrators, faculty, classified staff, and students. Work group representatives, Strategic Direction Co-Leads, and the YVC Administration meet quarterly to review progress on strategic initiatives and collaborate for improvements.

Strategic Directions

Work Groups

  • DEI Student Learning Work Group
  • Guided Pathways

Responsibilities

Identify DEI Student Learning Outcomes, how they will be integrated into the curriculum, and how they will be measured; provide DEI/antiracist training for all NEW degree-seeking students that is evaluated by participants and posted on the website; fully implement Guided Pathways

Effective Dates

By 2024-2025

Work Groups

  • DEI Professional Development Work Group

Responsibilities

Provide DEI/antiracist training for all new faculty and staff and 80% of total personnel every 2 years that is evaluated, provided to SBCTC annually, and posted on the website; oversee professional development planning for campus events inclusive of DEI

Effective Dates

By 2022-2023

DEI Climate Assessment Work Group

Responsibilities

Conduct a DEI campus climate assessment every 5 years (at a minimum) with faculty, staff, and students and post findings on public website. Conduct annual DEI listening and feedback sessions with the campus community, pay students for participation and post findings on public website.

Effective Dates

By 2021-2022

DEI Policy Review Work Group

Responsibilities

Investigate and develop a lens through which YVC can review policies, procedures, and practices for equity

Effective Dates

By 2022-2023

Workforce Diversity Work Group

Responsibilities

Add 200 new full-time tenure track positions to the system with 10 allotted to YVC; investigate and recommend hiring and retention practices that are more likely to result in more diverse personnel

Effective Dates

By 2022-2024

DEI Student Engagement Work Group

Responsibilities

Establish a culturally appropriate student outreach program and culturally appropriate student-based peer mentoring program; spur development of opportunities for students to develop their voice into campus practices, create and sustain peer-to-peer networks, and develop and support affinity group participation.

Effective Dates

By 2025-2026

DEI Website Work Group

Responsibilities

Make DEI practices and data easily accessed on the college website.

Effective Dates

By 2021-2022

Work Groups

  • Financial Literacy Work Group

Responsibilities

Assist potential students to understand opportunities available and navigate student aid by developing a financial literacy program with multiple opportunities for engagement across the degree plan and pathways.

Effective Dates

By 2025-2026

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Definitions

Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion definitions related to YVC’s 2021-2025 mission and strategic plan.

 

College Climate Survey

Yakima Valley College contracted with Hanover Research to conduct a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Survey during Winter Quarter 2022 and to follow-up about survey results with faculty in Spring Quarter 2022. Further follow-up is planned with staff during Fall Quarter 2022 and students for Winter 2023. Read a summary of the survey and focus group findings.

 

Additional Resources

See what legal protections are available to you in the state of Washington.

More Information

Since 2005 Yakima Valley College has partnered with several local area organizations to host events and lectures through the annual Diversity Series. The events provide YVC the opportunity to bring diverse perspectives to everyday topics and push the boundaries of the term beyond race, gender, social class, and sexuality.

More Information on the YVC Diversity Series