GCC DEI Statement

Recognizing the complex history of these lands, Glendale Community College (GCC) gives thanks and appreciation to the indigenous communities who have lived and cared for these lands. For many generations, Mexican and Native communities, such as the O'odham Jewed (homelands), Akimel O’odham (Pima), and Hohokam, have been a part of the history of this area. We are mindful of the history and of our present participation in the shaping of this land. We recognize alone we cannot fix hundreds of years of injustice and inequality, but together we can pave the way to progress.

GCC serves persons from a variety of backgrounds. We value and believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) enrich the experiences of our students, faculty, staff, and the community. We live in a global and ever-changing society and that is why a commitment to DEI is necessary to prepare all people to thrive both personally and professionally.  As a community college committed to ensuring the benefits of public education are extended to all, we are devoted to being student-ready and community-ready. Being “ready” for our students and our entire community (including our faculty and staff) means we understand they will come with unique contributions, challenges and circumstances and we are prepared to do all that we can to provide equitable support to remove barriers that any members of our GCC community may experience along their journey towards personal, professional and/or academic success.

Equity in education requires ensuring that the systems in place do all that they can to address the needs of all people. This is done by first identifying what those needs are as well as the ways that our current systems are influenced by history and contemporary social injustices and movements. Historical and contemporary injustices and global challenges provide an opportunity for GCC to look inward and address existing inequities. This is a chance to address those issues within our capabilities. Equity is not creating equal conditions for all; equity is understanding the unique challenges and barriers faced by various groups within our community. Equity requires efforts to minimize and/or eliminate those challenges and barriers. Equity is helping everyone along their journeys towards success. 

Underserved populations include, but are not limited to: persons of color, low-income individuals, marginalized sexual and gender identities (i.e. LGBTQIA+), ESOL/ESL persons, Veterans, persons with disabilities, refugees, familial status, first-generation college students and persons without U.S. citizenship or a legal immigration status. Additionally, we understand that we must not only be prepared for commonly named forms of diversity, but also less obvious attributes, like marital and familial status, parental status, upbringing, religious affiliation, major life experiences, communication, employment status. In doing so, we will:  

• Work to ensure that background, ability status, and identity are not obstacles to access and success.
• Assess our efforts, policies and practices to identify opportunities and challenges to provide additional support where necessary.
• Pursue this work by informing, influencing, and inspiring education leaders, and through developing our students, employees, and community as leaders for equity - keeping diversity and inclusion in mind in our daily operations and planning. 
• Be intentional in creating meaningful and measurable opportunities to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Speak up when we see bias and/or inequity, whether it be in our teaching, study, or daily responsibilities.
• Reflect on personal attitudes and actions, educate ourselves proactively and continuously to increase our awareness of personal biases, learn to recognize biases in others, better understand the formation and impact of those biases, and learn to provide and/or receive feedback with courage, compassion, and vulnerability.
• Work to create a community at GCC where background or personal circumstances do not determine success. 
• Provide learning opportunities to students, faculty and staff to educate them about diversity and empower them to become advocates on behalf of  all members of the GCC community.