Diversity and Inclusion

Mission and Vision

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.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion 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.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion 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

Passport Program

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion offers the Passport First Year Exploration Program. This is a pre-orientation program within the ALANA Student Network established in 2016 through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for new incoming students.

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.” Protégés are guided by a returning student known as a diversity ambassador. Protégés will be paired with a diversity ambassador at the end of the Pre-Arrival Experience.

Two groups of trained ambassadors, one for the ALANA Program and one for LGBTQ students work with the protégés. These ambassadors will be supervised by the Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Both groups will receive support throughout the year and access to extra resources on campus.

NEC’s Passport Program

• Provides academic support
• Offers peer-to-peer guidance
• Connects students to campus resources and helps them build community
• Promotes social and academic success among new students
• Provides resources for new students throughout the academic year
• Helps new students participate in some college events/programs
• Supports and nurtures the skills of new students through Passport’s leadership programs
• Guides and helps students with homework
• Mentors new students and helps them adapt well and feel a sense of belonging
• Answers questions and directs students to the right people and organizations when the need arises
• Help students learn more about campus culture and helps them gain confidence in their studies
• Serve as a student ally throughout the first year of college and beyond
• Offers tutoring sessions and promotes academic success
• Makes new students feel comfortable through active listening to their needs
• Provides cultural and leadership development for first-year students who identify as African, Latino/a, Asian, and Native American
• Extends needed support to LGBTQ students who work with the LGBTQ ambassadors

Passport Program ambassadors arrive before the start of the semester for a few days and then integrate into campus orientation programming. The arrival date is August 19, 2024, and room and board will be provided. Registration is from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

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.