Committee Members
Alicia Brizzi
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
Serving on this committee is inspiring because of the opportunity to promote practices and policies that will lead to greater racial diversity across the district. This district is rich with the experiences and wisdom of people from so many different backgrounds. Those perspectives should be reflected in the administration, the faculty and in the classified professionals across our district.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
This isn’t an invention, but I think having a week-long “District Dialog” every year, where folks come together to share and listen about what they enjoy about working for 4CD, and what would make their experience even better, would go a long way in fostering a sense of inclusivity.
What is the one question you most want to address?
How can we better understand why employees leave our district?
Genoveva Calloway
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
What inspires me to serve on the Committee is two reasons: 1. I graduated with the class of 1972 and it served me as my initial introduction to the importance of a higher education, for which I then transferred to Mills College and to UC Berkeley, where I received my graduate degree in Social work. The 2nd reason is that Contra Costa College is one of our greatest assets in West Contra Costa County and we need to always "showcase" the terrific programs that it offers.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
Recruit and hire more faculty and staff "of Color" to reflect its student population.
What is the one question you most want to address?
What are the barriers in recruitment and hiring and what policies do we need to change?
Michelle Chang
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
In my more than twenty-four years of service in public education, I always work to provide equitable and inclusive environments for the students, families, staff, and communities I serve. I am honored and excited to be a part of the DEEOAC because it will allow me to utilize my experience to support the important work of providing equal employment opportunities for all.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
One thing I would invent to help 4CD become more inclusive is something that enables a sense of security for all candidates and for all current employees. This invention would allow candidates applying for positions to feel secure in their ability to do the job they are applying for and secure that 4CD will support them in this position. It would also allow current employees to feel secure that they have the support they need to succeed in their current positions and that there is someone in the organization that is always there for them to provide support and guidance.
What is the one question you most want to address?
What are the roadblocks that are making it difficult to have a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment at 4CD and what are the best strategies we can incorporate to address these roadblocks?
Vern Cromartie
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
I am inspired to serve on this committee because I want to use my education and experience to make the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) the best it can be. I value the mission of the committee and the mission of the CCCCD.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
The one thing I would invent to help the CCCCD become more inclusive is to rescind Proposition 209 and reinstate affirmative action as a legal social policy throughout the state. The impact of Proposition 209 on racial minorities and ethnic minorities has been horrendous in the areas of education, employment, and contracts.
What is the one question you most want to address?
The one question I most want to address is as follows: How can we legally address the need to have more Black people represented in the ranks of faculty, classified staff, administrators, and students as well as employees who work for contractors and sub-contractors, and those who get contracts.
Vicki Ferguson
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
Serving on this committee provides an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues to create, implement and assess EEO activities, policies and procedures to improve hiring practices at 4CD.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
I would invent a districtwide career fair highlighting career opportunities and spotlighting the great things we are done to bring diversity, equity and inclusion to the 4CD workforce.
What is the one question you most want to address?
How do we expand recruitment efforts among diverse groups such as veterans, disability community and historically marginalized populations?
Irma Gregory
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
The inspiration to serve on the DEEOAC comes from two sources: my desire to give back more to LMC and its communities and the realization that the best way to do this is in the field that I am so familiar with. For more than 10 years I served as an HR professional at two internationally-recognized law firms, a world-wide industrial equipment manufacturer, and at the diplomatic and cultural enterprise. My good understanding of the LMC daily operations and its culture combined with my HR experience and my commitment to diversity and inclusion will allow me to provide my peers with a more mindful approach to implementing new policies and changes that will affect students and workers alike in our community. It would be an honor to serve on a council that so strongly believes in its members.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
One barrier that we have with our pool of applicants is the difficulty of reaching appropriate candidates. If I could, I would invent a method and the means of distribution that would guarantee that vacancy announcements would reach capable applicants. This advancement would allow 4CD to become more inclusive and widely known.
What is the one question you most want to address?
We have been putting a lot of effort into diversifying our workforce; however, we still talk about finding ways to be more inclusive and more diverse. The question that arises from this observation is "What organizational practices divert us from having the results that we desire?"
Katherine Jinter
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
My inspiration about serving on this committee is that one of its goal is to attain a truly diverse workforce within our district by way of equal employment opportunities. The committee affords me the opportunity to champion for such a workforce. The labeling of diversity and inclusion has been around for years after the abolition of Affirmative Action, Prop 209. Although many efforts have been documented through reporting mechanics and are viewed as exceptional on paper, year after year, there is still much work to be done in striving to achieve desired equitable, diverse and inclusive outcomes.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
Annual climate surveys with the set goal of measuring and highlighting areas lacking in inclusivity and diversity. The outcome of the surveys could automatically drive and generate processes, policies and procedures that would address and insure all underserved groups and their ethnic richness are included district wide.
What is the one question you most want to address?
Although regular reporting is mandated in the form of an Equal Opportunity Plan, Multiple Methods and a newly formed 10+10 plan, why is it difficult to achieve what we self-report? What changes can be enacted to justly reflect all perspectives to meet expectations in line with a diverse workforce across the board.
Sophia Lever
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
I feel inspired when I have the opportunity to listen to my colleague’s ideas and aspirations for the future. We spend contemplated time analyzing our efforts from a diversity, equity and inclusion perspective. Our membership means we can choose to share our authentic views, debate difficult problems, and collaborate on solutions to advance social justice district-wide. This work leaves me feeling invigorated because of the close alignment to my own professional and personal core.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
Respecting the humanity of all individuals.
What is the one question you most want to address?
How can we create and sustain an organizational culture where employees feel valued, engaged and respected?
Angela Parris
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
A successful diversified workplace environment goes beyond merely meeting mandated requirements of an employment pool. Serving on the DEEOAC committee affords me the opportunity to be a part of creating and sustaining a culture where all individuals are accepted and respected for the perspectives and contributions that they can offer.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
A Heart and Mind Converter/Transformer. Inclusiveness begins with an individual's thoughts and perceptions of others, but most importantly, an awareness and reflection of self.
What is the one question you most want to address?
As a district, do we understand and agree on the definition of equity, equality and inclusion? If so, what does it truly look like for us across the district? Are we really unified?
Camille Santana
What inspires you about serving on this committee?
Intentionally and systemically addressing the barriers that prevent 4CD from hiring administrators, faculty, and staff that reflect the diverse student body we serve.
If you could invent one thing to help 4CD become more inclusive, what would it be?
Paid release time for diverse and equity-focused staff and faculty who serve on paper screen and interview committees; Stipend for diverse adjunct faculty as well as mentoring and training for diverse adjunct faculty.
What is the one question you most want to address?
How committed is 4CD to achieving equity in hiring that reflects our student body?
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