DEI Team
Steven Norton, Ph.D.
DEI Coordinator
steven.norton@mcckc.edu
Baily Robinson
Executive Administrative Assistant
baily.robinson@mcckc.edu
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) builds an environment of belonging and respect for our diverse community by promoting equity in student success, creating belonging and inclusion for a diverse workforce, fostering equitable institutional infrastructure and culture, and building mutually beneficial partnerships with the greater Kansas City community
ODEI's objectives are aligned with MCC's Strategic Plan:
- Foster a working and learning environment that is respectful to all members of our diverse workforce and student body.
- Increase equity in student success through targeted student, faculty, and staff interventions, trainings, and support.
- Recruit, hire, develop and retain a diverse workforce to better reflect the diversity of the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
- Improve and refine institutional systems and culture to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for students, employees, and the community.
Our Commitment
Metropolitan Community College is committed to fostering an educational philosophy that values the input and inclusion of all individuals and cultural groups within our institution, campuses and the communities we serve. Valuing different perspectives allows us to focus as one entity on the goals we have in common and helps us fulfill our mission of preparing students, serving communities and creating opportunities for all.
Definitions
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Diversity at MCC values and embraces all experiences and identities. These include but are not limited to identities of race, ethnicity, color, familial background, culture, language and dialect, educational attainment, citizenship or immigration status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, socioeconomic status, religion and spirituality, age and generation, ability and disability, neurodiversity, military or veteran status, and social affiliation.
MCC actively pursues diversity by celebrating all identities and experiences, while recognizing that some identities have not had equal access to participation in education, politics, the economy, and public space. MCC strives to dismantle these inequalities and pursues diversity to make our college and our communities stronger, smarter, safer, and more resilient. -
Equity refers to the fair and just practices, policies, and systems that allow all community members to thrive. Being equitable means acknowledging and addressing structural inequalities — historic and current — that advantage some and disadvantage others. Through a recognition of structural inequality and a commitment to equitable policies, practices, and services, MCC removes barriers to success for disadvantaged groups while guaranteeing access to educational attainment for all.
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Inclusion is the feeling of belonging and respect experienced by all members of a diverse community. MCC pursues inclusion through its ongoing efforts to empower and validate all identities and experiences: inclusion is achieved when individuals of all identities recognize themselves as respected contributors to the community. This sense of inclusion, recognition, respect, and contribution will allow people of all identities to thrive at MCC.