DEI Pillar Committee

Mission Statement:

Our goal is to empower and educate all members of our community to facilitate a campus culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion are respected and intentionally valued. We acknowledge that social injustice and inequality exist, and we actively persist in removing barriers.

Herkimer College's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pillar Committee is made up of representatives from various College stakeholder groups working collaboratively to promote equality and cultural awareness on campus. Through social events, speaker series, and other programming, the DEI Committee aims to foster a climate of inclusion and understanding among Herkimer College's students, faculty, and staff.

Committee Members, 2022-23

Co-Chair: Dr. Jennifer Adjodha-Evans, Assistant Professor, Biology

Co-Chair: Dr. Robin Riecker, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, HU/SS Division

Jennifer Brown, Area Coordinator

Denise Cavanaugh, College in Prison (P/T)

Tyler Ryan Cordell, student representative

Jennifer Herzog, Assistant Professor, Biology

JoAnne LeClair, Library Office Assistant

Kathleen Netti, Coordinator of Accessibility Services

Jeremy Pietruch, Academic Support Center Specialist, Math

Kari Procopio, Asst. Director of Public Relations

Julie Todd, Asst. Director of Human Resources

William Zeiter, Admissions Assistant

Contact the DEI Committee

How the Committee Defines it

The Herkimer County Community College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Pillar Committee has defined DEI as the following:

Diversity

Diversity encompasses all facets of human differences. We value, respect, and celebrate all areas of diversity including, but not limited to race/ethnicity, gender, identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, body type, country of origin, military status, political view, background and experiences, and others.

Equity

Equity is the fair and just treatment of all members of our community. We are committed to identifying and removing all inequalities and barriers in our current policies, procedures, and practices that limit equitable opportunities. We are focused on ensuring all members of our community, through access and participation, are given the opportunity to succeed.

Inclusion

Inclusion is the active, intentional, and ongoing creation and support of an environment of diversity and growth. We value the diverse voices of our community and encourage participation and involvement in all aspects of the institution. When multiple and diverse voices are represented and included in the decision-making process, a sense of belonging, respect, empowerment, and human dignity is achieved for all.