Diversity: Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DEISJ) Certification of Completion

The Diversity: Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DEISJ) Certificate Program provides faculty and staff the opportunity to develop strategies for providing a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.

Hudson Valley Community College recognizes the importance of DEISJ in the classroom to help its mission to address the diverse needs of local and global communities.

The Center for Professional Excellence developed the Diversity: Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DEISJ) Certificate Program as a way for faculty and staff to develop strategies for providing a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. To earn this certificate, participants will complete six hours of training through courses from each of three topic areas for a total of 18 training hours:

• Six hours of training in Foundational Concepts of DEISJ
• Six hours of training in Cultural and Identity Awareness
• Six hours of training in Fostering an Inclusive Culture

Substitutions for CPE courses, such as discipline-specific conferences, seminars, workshops, and classes, will be considered satisfactory for completion of one-half or 50 percent of the course requirement in each of the three topic areas. Permission for substitutions is requested through the department chairperson.

Certificate program courses are designed by in-house faculty and other academic professionals and are offered throughout the school year.

Topic Areas

Foundational Concepts of DEISJ

Setting a good foundation will allow faculty and staff to best create a safe and productive classroom/work space.

Suggested topics include:

• Clarifying terms (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice)
• Unconscious Bias
• Effective communication

Cultural and Identity Awareness

It’s important to understand the variety of identities and cultures present on our diverse campus. Recognizing exclusions based on these identities and cultures is important for providing a more inclusive environment.

Suggested topics include:

• Gender inclusion
• LGBTQ+ inclusion
• Cultural diversity
• Age diversity
• Accessibility
• Macroaggressions

Fostering an Inclusive Culture

Creating accessible and welcoming learning environments that are supportive and inclusive of all students creates a sense of belonging.

Suggested topics include:

• Intentional inclusion
• Bystander intervention
• Equity through course materials
• Creating an inclusive syllabus
• Open and inclusive office hours