Image of Japanese Friendship Garden framed by pink flowers

Office for Equity, Advocacy, and Belonging

The Office of Equity, Advocacy, and Belonging partners with students, employees, and community members to challenge institutional oppression and develop innovative anti-racist practices that foster an inclusive and welcoming space for all.

Goals

To create strategic priorities and accountability measures for our campus.

To help equip our colleagues so that everyone realizes and is responsible for upholding that equity, advocacy, and belonging is everybody's work, every day.

To help identify and remedy systemic barriers.

Campus Initiatives

Various opportunities for campus engagement from the Office of Equity, Advocacy, and Belonging

Affinity Groups

An affinity group is a self-organized group of TCC employees with a shared identity.

The Color Purple

Shared Interest/Identity: for Black Women

Mission: Our mission is to create a safe space for women of African descent to celebrate shared experiences, discuss issues that are specific to black women in America, and provide opportunities for personal growth and healing while working in academia.

Chaired by: Ronnell Baylis

Decentering Whiteness

Shared Interest/Identity: White-identified employees

Mission: The De-Centering Whiteness Affinity Group will intentionally create a community where we take ownership of our individual and collective education as it relates to whiteness as a racialized experience and commit to disrupting racism by taking action that contributes to TCC’s goal to become an anti-racist institution.

Chaired by: Adrienne Scarcella

PRISM (LGBTQIA+)

Shared Interest/Identity: LGBTQ+ identities

Mission: To create and further a stronger community for LGBTQ staff and faculty at TCC.

Chaired by: A.J. Demeter & Caitlin Hall

Mi Gente

Shared Interest/Identity: for Latinx/e identifying folks

Mission: Mi Gente provides staff and faculty members professional development, networking, and mentoring to further enrich our employment and leadership experiences through supportive space, critical dialogue, self-reflection, healing, cultural awareness, and celebration.

Contact: Liza Rendon & Ivan Ramirez

Significant Other

Shared Interest/Identity: for Asian & Pacific Islander identifying folks

Mission: The Significant Other Affinity Group provides support for TCC API employees through critical discussion, peer mentorship, and cultural celebration.

Contact: Chanry Yann & Joni Guiterrez

If you have more questions about Affinity Groups, review our Frequently Asked Questions document or email eab@tacomacc.edu

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council (EDI-C) is motivated by a mission to advocate for issues of equity, advocacy, and belonging at Tacoma Community College while advancing social justice and challenging oppressive barriers for various social identities and communities. This is not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, religious affiliation and/or any other historically marginalized groups. This group is composed of staff, faculty, and administrators. All TCC employees are welcome to become members of EDI-C. Membership is established by participating in meetings. Individuals can become members throughout the year.

Our hope is to influence campus climate and shape TCC culture for the betterment of students and employees. Our goal is dismantling these oppressive barriers within our institution and community and be a leader in our society.

To learn more, visit the TCC Hub (for staff and faculty).

What We Do

The Office of Equity, Advocacy, and Belonging includes two primary areas

Equity, Advocacy, & Belonging

The Equity, Advocacy, and Belonging (EAB) department supports TCC employees and students alike in the personal and professional development of their respective EAB journeys. It also provides training and educational resources about equity, advocacy, belonging, and anti-racism efforts at the College to its community members.

Professional Development

Professional Development partners with staff and faculty to coordinate and develop leadership and instructional growth opportunities through programming that promotes an equitable and inclusive learning and working environment.

Any Other Questions?

253-566-5221

Email EAB