Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
By learning together, we can begin to live together.
Hawkeye College Community is enriched by the diversity of our students, staff, and our community. Preparing students to think, live, and work in a global arena is critical in their success and in the growth of the Cedar Valley region. Hawkeye is committed to providing an environment where we value, honor, respect, and seek to understand another.
Workplace
Hawkeye Community College is committed to providing an environment in which students, faculty, and staff can work together free of discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation.
Our strategic plan, Working Together for a Better Community, was developed in collaboration with input from employees and key stakeholders including students, business leaders, and community members.
Reaffirming our commitment to those we serve, Strategy 1, Diversity and Inclusion, supports creating a diverse and inclusive culture for learning and upward mobility.
Diversity and Inclusion Council
A cross-group of employees from the College help to establish and sustain a set of policies, programs, practices and resources necessary to promote an increased awareness of and a shared commitment to inclusiveness and diversity throughout the learning-centered environment at Hawkeye.
Diversity Training
Education is the first step to acceptance and inclusion. All new employees are required to complete an online diversity/cultural competency course to gain an understanding of our differences.
Office of Student Connection and Experience
Hawkeye has a full-time director of Student Connection and Experience to help create an environment that is free from bias and focused on promoting practices of inclusion.
Equity Committee
The Equity Committee assists the College in maintaining and implementing an Affirmative Action Plan to reflect Hawkeye’s ethical and legal pledge to comply with laws and regulations requiring Equal Educational Opportunity, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Affirmative Action.
Professional Development
Faculty and staff are provided the opportunity to participate in professional development programs as well as participate in college leadership programs such as Community College Leadership Initiative Consortium (CLIC) and Leadership in the New Century (LINC).
Hawkeye has an active chapter of the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA), a council of the American Association of Community Colleges which serves as a collaborative voice, promoting the academic success of African American students, faculty, staff and administrators.
Employee Recognition
Every year Hawkeye presents the Sammie Dell Commitment to Diversity Award to an employee who has made significant contributions in the area of diversity and inclusion.
Students
Hawkeye Community College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment that translates into the needs of our workforce.
Diversity Student Recruitment
Many outreach strategies are in place to attract diverse students to Hawkeye including a diverse populations admissions representative for outreach at high schools, college fairs, community organizations, and educational agencies. For more information please our Admissions Representative for Diverse Populations.
Athletics
Hawkeye added collegiate athletics in 2015 as a way to recruit student-athletes and add to the college experience. Hawkeye has men’s and women’s soccer teams, men’s and women’s sports shooting, track and field, and cross country with golf and volleyball coming on board in 2018. Our student-athletes come from almost a dozen countries and add to the diversity of our student population.
Student-Athletes also have the opportunity to partake in a workshop that equips athletes and coaches with the knowledge and tools to address matters of racism, prejudice, and diversity and inclusion.
Multicultural Visit Day
Hawkeye celebrates diversity and inclusion with a multicultural visit day for underrepresented and first-generation students to campus with a focus on becoming students. Guest speakers have told their stories of overcoming physical disabilities, working in nontraditional gender careers, struggles immigrating to the United States, and more.
Student Activities and Events
Hawkeye offers a wide range of activities and events that celebrate and strengthen the cultural, intellectual, and social well-being of our campus. Events include but are not limited to:
- Black History Month
- Women’s History Month
- Veteran’s Day Celebration
- Veterans Job Fair
- Career Fair
- Constitution Day
- Student Art Show
Study Abroad Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to travel abroad to continue their studies academically and grow professionally. Students learn to work with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, which is essential in today’s global market.
Clubs and Organizations
Hawkeye provides students the opportunity to engage in activities and events in an area of interest on a professional or career track as we well a personal interest level.
Title IX for Students
Title IX is a landmark federal civil right that prohibits sex discrimination in education. Title IX is not just limited to athletics; it also addresses sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, and sexual violence on college campuses.
Coffee and Conversations
Open, honest, relevant discussions with students, faculty, and staff about critical, current, and controversial issues affecting our diverse communities.
Diversity Passport
Self-guided learning opportunities where students can broaden their perspectives on cultural diversity by attending various community events and activities.
Brothers of Knowledge for College
A group of African-American young men who are recent graduates of the Waterloo Community School District, now enrolled at Hawkeye. The Director of Student Connection and Experience meets with them regularly and is working to coordinate with other campus offices to provide mentors and access to campus resources.
Inclusion and Success Service
Hawkeye works diligently in order for our students to succeed. Inclusion and Success Services (formerly TRIO) provides intensive instructional support and peer-tutoring to help you succeed in college.
To participate in the Inclusion and Success Services program you must be a current Hawkeye student and meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
- First generation college student
- Learning and/or physically disabled
- Meet income guidelines
Community Relations
Hawkeye is committed to expanding and strengthening our relationships in our communities through community engagement efforts.
Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center
Hawkeye serves a very diverse community. The Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center serves adult, immigrant, and international students with educational services needed to support themselves and have meaningful careers. The Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center provides many services including:
Diversity in STEM conference
Hawkeye hosts an annual Diversity in STEM conference for educators, employers, students and the general public to develop strategies to increase interest and minority participation in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Sponsorships
Hawkeye sponsors a number of events that have a large outreach to minority communities including, but not limited to:
- KBBG Radio: Minority-owned and operated reaches thousands of minority stakeholders
- Veterans Career Fair
- NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner
- League of Women Voters
- Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet
- Juneteenth Celebration
- Discovered Resources Career Fair
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Scholarship Banquet
Civic Engagement
Employees are encouraged to volunteer and participate in civic organizations that positively impact the community and underrepresented populations. These organizations include, but are not limited to:
- Cedar Valley United Way: Diversity & Inclusion Committee
- Greater Cedar Valley Alliance: Diversity & Inclusion Committee
- Women’s Mentoring Program: Women’s Philanthropy Connection
- Northeast Iowa Food Bank
- NAACP
- League of Women Voters
- Waterloo Human Rights Commission