Student Experiences - Access & Belonging

Mission

At Manchester Community College, we honor people with all of their intersecting identities and experiences. Our diversity is a strength that enriches us, and we commit to ongoing efforts to ensure everyone feels welcomed and valued.

Vision

We commit to addressing issues of equity through an educational process that aligns with our belief in continued growth. We work to ensure our learning and working environment is a trusted space by honoring a variety of perspectives for students, faculty, staff and the wider MCC community.

Values

We value and hold responsibility for continued education around diversity, equity and inclusion by establishing policies that promote inclusion across campus that support identities. Identities include, but are not limited to, race, creed, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information, neurodiversity, socioeconomic status, marital status, or law enforcement, military, veteran service, etc.

What are diversity, equity, and inclusion? Why do they matter? 

Here are some definitions from the nonprofit Independent Sector, which are "based on language from the D5 Coalition and UC Berkeley:

"Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. While diversity is often used in reference to race, ethnicity, and gender, we embrace a broader definition of diversity that also includes age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. Our definition also includes diversity of thought: ideas, perspectives, and values. We also recognize that individuals affiliate with multiple identities.

Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions or systems, as well as in their distribution of resources. Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society.

Inclusion is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people. It’s important to note that while an inclusive group is by definition diverse, a diverse group isn’t always inclusive. Increasingly, recognition of unconscious or ‘implicit bias’ helps organizations to be deliberate about addressing issues of inclusivity."

Notice that a community that is committed to diversity and equity goes beyond simply welcoming people of different identities (come in and be with us in our community) to being inclusive (come in and be yourself, which will make our community better). 

This image illustrates the difference between equality, which treats everyone the same way, and equity, which meets diverse needs. The reality is that we all come to MCC with different resources and experiences. 

This image is freely available from Interaction Institute for Social Change | original artist: Angus Maguire | remix made by Andrew, a Facebook user in Canada

Browse databases and journals that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The library has books and articles related to diversity, equity and inclusion and by diverse authors for those who want to dig deeper. We'd be happy to help you find relevant reading. Here is a sampling: