The Community College of Aurora is home to the most diverse student population in Colorado. To better serve our students, dedicated professionals across campus have come together to form task forces and councils committed to furthering our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Task Forces that support and promote strategic efforts to support our students include: the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force, the LGBTQIA+ Task Force, the Undocu-Serving Task Force. Our DEI Leadership Team, DEI Council and DEI Student Council help establish strategic efforts towards DEI and a supportive and welcoming environment in which individuals of all backgrounds and demographics feel valued, welcomed and belonging. These groups include voices from various academic and student support areas, as well as students.
The Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force purpose is to lead the campus community in examining processes and making recommendations that will continue to improve the success and well-being of our Hispanic/Latinx and all of our students, while moving towards “Servingness”.
We aim to build upon the foundation CCA has built with our HSI designation and work in collaboration by conducting research on HSI national best practices and working side by side with students to create a model that best serves them. The HSI Task Force is comprised of various CCA employee’s from across the campus community, including but not limited to: student support services, academic achievement, diversity, equity and inclusion to name a few.
The LGBTQIA+ Task Force is a committee of faculty, staff, and students who work to increase LGBTQIA+ visibility and support on campus. Our mission is to educate and foster understanding, provide support and resources, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
We host a number of events and trainings throughout the academic year, including:
• Brave Space Training
• Pride and Popcorn Movie Nights
• Transgender Day of Remembrance
• LGBTQIA+ History Trivia Night
• Winter Q’ommunity Social
• Transgender Day of Visibility Training
• Drag Queen Bingo
• Lavender Graduation
The mission of the Undocu-Serving Taskforce is to support students in their quest for a college education regardless of immigration status. The Undocu-Serving Taskforce will also continue to grow the inclusive and supportive environments for students by providing resources for CCA staff, faculty, and instructors that work with students.
Some initiatives that happen throughout the year include:
• Financial Aid Workshop
• Know Your Rights Workshop
• DREAM Scholar Welcome
• Resource Fair
Undocumented students seeking support can reach out to the Task Force for more information:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Council serves as an advisory group who lead and facilitate the DEI agenda and strategic direction for the institution.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion General Council serves as a cross-functional team charged with examining diversity, equity and inclusion issues, policies, practices and infrasturcture. The DEI General Council will operationalize DEI across different functionalities, and ultimately create the DEI Master Plan for CCA
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Student Council acts as an advocate between students, student-led organizations and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The DEI Student Council highlights student voice and involvement at CCA through the planning and development of culturally-focused programming.
