Diversity Action Plan
The Diversity Action Plan (DAP) reflects our institution’s commitment to inclusive excellence. Under the leadership of President Dr. Steve Dorman, the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts at Georgia College have been strategically outlined in the DAP. Modeled organizationally after the California State University, Chico’s diversity plan, Georgia College’s DAP was divided into four goal areas: Student Access and Success, Curriculum, Creative Learning and Scholarship, Campus Climate and Campus Vitality and Viability. The DAP addresses four goals: student diversity access and success; curriculum, creative learning and scholarship; faculty and staff recruitment and retention success; and campus climate.
Student Diversity Access and Success
Georgia College is interested in increasing the diversity of the student population by attracting underrepresented students to campus. The DAP specifically targets enrollment, retention and graduation strategies that will assist Georgia College in attracting and retaining underrepresented populations as well as assisting in degree completion.
Curriculum, Creative Learning and Scholarship
The DAP seeks strategies that focus on the learning experiences of Georgia College students that promote diversity competence in curricular activities. Other goals include faculty, staff, student scholarship, professional development and research on diversity and inclusion.
Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Retention Success
The DAP seeks to develop strategies to increase diversity of faculty, professional staff and administration at all levels of Georgia College. These efforts will include opportunities for developing a system of accountability in hiring, promotion and professional development opportunities.
Campus Climate
DAP develops ways to assist Georgia in developing opportunities of inclusion through policies, processes, programs, co-curricular activities and activities that may advance and sustain an inclusive campus environment.
OIE Recruitment Resources
RECRUITMENT RESOURCES
Search Committee Chairs are encouraged to develop a recruitment plan that promotes inclusive outreach. To assist chairs in recruiting a diverse applicant pool, the following is a list of websites, journals, and organizations to target and attract professionals from underrepresented groups.
Disability and Veteran Resources
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SERVING UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS
To assist Search Committees to reach diverse faculty and staff, OIE has provided a list of colleges and universities that produces a significant number of underrepresented PhD and Master-level students.
Heritage Months
SEPTEMBER
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. As cited in President Lyndon B. Johnson's 1968 Proclamation, September 15 is the date when five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—earned their independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico, Chile, and Belize became independent on September 16, 18, and 21 from Spain and the United Kingdom, respectively.
OCTOBER
LGBT History Month
LGBTQ History Month highlights and celebrates the history and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. LGBT History Month was created in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher in Missouri. October was selected to coincide with National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), which was already established, and the anniversary of the first march on Washington for gay and lesbian rights in 1979.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Americans observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by paying tribute to the accomplishments of people with disabilities whose work helps keep the nation’s economy strong and by reaffirming their commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all citizens. NDEAM has evolved to include the entire disability community and the emphasis has shifted to focus on employment in the community at competitive wages.
NOVEMBER
Native American Heritage Month
November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month. This observance commemorates the history, heritage, and culture of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. It is during this month we acknowledge the vast achievements of America’s original indigenous people
FEBRUARY
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. It celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities that are an indelible part of our country's history. American historian, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, first established “Negro History Week” in 1926 during the second week of February. That week was chosen because it encompasses the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass—both men being great American symbols of freedom.
MARCH
Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society and has been observed annually in March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month first came to be a national celebration in 1982 as Women’s History Week. A few years later, it expanded into a full month of honoring women’s roles in society, thanks to a petition from the National Women’s History Project.
APRIL
Arab American Heritage Month
Arab American Heritage Month celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans. Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017.
MAY
Jewish American Heritage Month
On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. The announcement was the crowning achievement in an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders that resulted in resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania urging the president to proclaim a month that would recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture.
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. AAPI Heritage Month was the idea of former congressional staffer Jeanie Jew who first approached Rep. Frank Horton about designating a month to recognize Asian Pacific Americans, following the United States’ bicentennial celebration in 1976. In June 1977, Horton and Rep. Norman Y. Mineta, introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution for the celebration on October 5, 1978. In 1990, George H.W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend Asian American Heritage Week to a month.
Older Americans Month
Every year in May, Older Americans Month recognizes the contributions of older adults across the nation. Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities.
JUNE
Pride Month
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.