Diversity and Inclusion

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion establishes partnerships with community members to create an inclusive student-centered environment that fosters respect for each person and celebrates each other’s differences.

Mission and Vision

Mission Statement
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is dedicated to providing intentional programs and services that enhance self-awareness, academic success, and cross-cultural engagement, as well as encourage individual and collective advocacy. We will assist in creating an inclusive campus environment that fosters respect for each person, equity, appreciation for all cultures, and promote diverse ideas within the NEC community.

Vision Statement
ODI seeks to create an environment that is student-centered where all members build capacity for cross-cultural competence that serves as a catalyst for social justice.

Learning Outcomes

Students, faculty, and staff who engage in programs sponsored by ODI will be able to:

• Define one’s identity, understand intersectionality, and articulate how these factors influence the college experience
• Practice personal accountability and develop meaningful peer relationships using effective intrapersonal/interpersonal skills within an academic and social environment
• Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication proficiency that is applied daily when discussing the multiple dimensions of diversity
• Illustrate an understanding of social responsibility and civic participation that ignites social action
• Identify and explain the impact of systemic barriers placed on an individual and communities
• Use acquired knowledge about cultural diversity to make informed decisions
• Employ the Social Change Model in an effort to dismantle oppressive behaviors and systems

Fall 2023 NEC Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Ambassador Program

The Passport Program is a great resource that the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) offers. Passport is a program within the ALANA Student Network established in 2016 through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This introductory program provides academic support, peer-to-peer guidance, cultural and leadership development for first-year students who identify as African, Latino/a, Asian, and Native American.

We also have the LGBTQ Ambassadors who will be trained to work with the LGBTQ community and provide them with the necessary support they need to achieve their goals while pursuing their studies.

First-year students are referred to as Protégés because, by definition, they are “a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.” This person is a returning student who we refer to as a Diversity Ambassador. Protégés will be paired with a Diversity Ambassador at the end of the Pre-Arrival Experience.

Major components of the Passport Program involve coming to New England a few days before classes begin to familiarize yourself with the college and to also get to know your ambassadors and engage in some activities. Below is the outline:

Pre-Arrival: Passport kicks off a few days before orientation with the Pre-Arrival Experience. During this time, new students will participate in a more intimate and small-scale orientation process through the lens of diversity and inclusion at New England College. Students will get to know each other and other members of the NEC community all while becoming familiar with the resources available to them.

Success Seminars are bi-weekly meetings with the entire cohort of Diversity Ambassadors and Protégés. This is a pre-scheduled time to discuss any matters that are pertinent to each cohort. Topics range from time management, writing emails, and how to balance life away from home.

Success Seminars are often co-facilitated by Diversity Ambassadors with the support of ODI Staff.

ALANA Study Hours: ODI reserves space in the library for students to attend mandatory study hours. This is the time for ODI staff and Diversity Ambassadors to check in on the academics of our Protégés. A major component of the Passport Program is academic accountability. ODI staff monitors class attendance and grades of all members of the cohort.

Peer-to-Peer: guidance is something we rely heavily upon at the Office of Diversity & Inclusion because our Diversity Ambassadors live on campus alongside our Protégés and the ODI staff does not.

Protégés and Diversity Ambassadors are expected to have a formal check-in at least twice a month, after which the Diversity Ambassador will update ODI staff of any pertinent information.

Social Outings: are a reward for working hard. This is a free benefit to being affiliated with the Passport Program. We try to get off campus at least once a month to do various activities ranging from laser tag, to movies, and even going out to eat. Social outings are a privilege; therefore,

Protégés are expected to participate fully in the components of the program before they are allowed to sign up for an outing.

There are lots of opportunities provided at no cost by the Passport Program: free swag, events, food, and other fun surprises!

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in participating in the Passport Program:

APPLY HERE

Other Programs, Events, and Beyond

Working together is one of the most effective ways to identify solutions for change. Campus programs throughout the year invite us to learn from our individual and collective experiences.

ODI carries out intentional and meaningful programs for each national heritage month and beyond. ODI events are open to all NEC students, faculty, and staff.