Get involved with the DEI Statements Project Team

The Safety & Inclusivity Workgroup of the Campus Climate Team is currently identifying staff, faculty and student members for the DEI Statements Project Team. The project team will work together to draft definitions and statement(s) of diversity, equity and inclusion. The team will also recommend steps for communication and action. The project will begin this fall and continue through spring 2023.

The project team will include no more than 12 people with diverse representation.  If you are interested or have a recommendation for a colleague’s involvement, please complete and submit the DEI Statement Project Team Member Recommendation Form. All nominations should be submitted by noon on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022.

IDI Grant application opens today

idi Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Grant ProgramLLCC’s Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Grant, which began in 2020-21, is once again available! It is an internal opportunity for any LLCC faculty, staff, department, student or student club, and can be used to address a need and/or to promote and celebrate diversity.

The IDI Grant application process opens today, and proposals will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. There is $3,500 available to be awarded in fall 2022. More information and helpful resources (standards of evaluation, project samples and more) are now available on the Innovation in Diversity & Inclusion Grant SharePoint page (be sure you’re logged in to Office 365 to access).

Have an idea? Don’t hesitate to reach out to kyle.roughan@llcc.edu with any questions.

IDI Grant Project Committee:
Kyle Roughan
Laura Anderson
Michelle Pulce-Flynn
Jamil Steele
Adam Watkins

Racial campus climate study

The ICCB has commissioned the Office of Community College Research and Leadership to conduct a racial campus climate study across Illinois community colleges. This mixed methods study on diversity, equity and the racial campus climate will gauge faculty, staff, administrator and student perspectives. The study aims to provide awareness and a road map for colleges to engage in dialogue and develop next steps in optimizing an inclusive campus culture. Participating in this research study will include completion of an online survey with opportunities provided to interested individuals to schedule participation in follow-up interviews. The survey is open through April 30. Link to survey.

Recipients of LLCC’s 2022 IDI Grant announced

idi Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Grant ProgramThe Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Grant Project Team is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s IDI Grants!

In the Training, Teaching, and Learning category, Brenda Schuster and Bree McClenning of LLCC-Beardstown was awarded to educate local high school students and administrators on the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Act). The RISE Act allows graduating high school seniors in Illinois to receive college assistance when they do not meet the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) requirements. The project aims to increase college enrollment and educate local community members in Cass County about alternative forms of financial assistance. This project will dispel the perception that no financial aid is available for undocumented, non-citizen and transgender students.

In the Training, Teaching and Learning category, Lori Large Oldenettel of LLCC-Jacksonville was awarded funding to carry out a Hunger Banquet. The Hunger Banquet is a meal and a presentation that addresses socio-economic differences, specifically around local hunger, world hunger and poverty. Through guided, thoughtful conversation, students will learn about the disparity of food and wealth and how we do not choose the economic situation we are born into.

Congratulations to the grant recipients! Their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion at LLCC is appreciated, and we look forward to the positive impact these projects will have.

Accent bias presentation today, 2:30 p.m.

Andrea EchelbergerAs part of the Inclusivity Speaker Series, Andrea Echelberger, long time teacher of English language learners, will give a livestream presentation and discussion of “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” describing research that shows how accent bias really does exist! If you are unable to attend this event in person, please join us via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85900003277.

Inclusivity Speaker Series livestream presentation tomorrow

LLCC Inclusivity Speaker Series. Diversity, Inclusion, Identity, Community.Join us tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons! Andrea Echelberger, English learner specialist, will provide a livestream presentation and discussion of “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” describing research that shows how accent bias really does exist! If you are unable to attend this event in person, a Zoom link will be available in tomorrow’s LincIn.

Submit IDI Grant applications by Jan. 31

There’s still time! Do you have an idea on how we can address a need and/or promote and celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at LLCC? Submit an Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion (IDI) Grant proposal by Monday, Jan. 31.

idi Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Grant Program

This grant is exclusively an internal opportunity for any LLCC faculty, staff, department, student or student club.

There is $3,500 available to be awarded in spring 2022. More information and helpful resources (standards of evaluation, project samples and more) are now available on the Innovation in Diversity & Inclusion Grant SharePoint page (be sure you’re logged in to Office 365 to access).

Have questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to kyle.roughan@llcc.edu.

IDI Grant Project Committee:
Kyle Roughan
Laura Anderson
Michelle Pulce-Flynn
Jamil Steele
Kyla Kruse

Second speaker in this year’s Inclusivity Speaker Series: Feb. 9, 2:30 p.m.

Andrea Echelberger sitting with her cat at a laptop in her dining roomPlease join the campus community in welcoming Andrea Echelberger, English Language teacher, speaking on accent bias! Echelberger is continuously humbled and inspired by the lessons and stories that she hears from her learners every day and is passionate about helping the people that she works with develop their voices in English so that they and their families can thrive in the United States. This presentation will be livestreamed and available to view in A. Lincoln Commons on Feb. 9 at 2:30 p.m.