Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Statement from the Center’s Staff, Advisory Board, and Senior Fellows

At the Center, we are listening and learning how to be better allies for people of color. Our staff, Advisory Board and Senior Fellows acknowledge and support people of color in their ongoing desire for equality and justice. We honor the lives of individuals who have been hurt and killed by acts stemming from discrimination, racism, and implicit bias. Black Lives Matter and now it is even more important to say it out loud.

We have committed to working harder to enhance diversity, inclusion, and equity within our career pathway programs. We will also adhere to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical College’s vision statement, which states, “Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in the service to our diverse communities.”

In a letter to the Pierce College Community, Chancellor Dr. Michele Johnson affirms: “At Pierce College, Black Lives Matter. We recognize the immense pain that many of our Black colleagues are feeling. We reaffirm our commitment and accountability to continue the relentless pursuit of equity, peace, and justice for Black communities.”

Curry Mayer, the Center’s Advisory Board Co-Chair emphasizes, “I am proud that we are taking positive, action-oriented steps toward addressing the inequities of systematic racism and implicit bias that have plagued our institutions and limited opportunities for faculty and students of color. We acknowledge that there is much work to be done and this is just the beginning.  The HSEM program will be enhanced and improved when all people are represented and provided access and opportunities in that program.”

Our Center’s primary goal is to create practical ways to enhance diversity and inclusion in our all-hazard career pathways. We are collaborating and encouraging our career pathway programs (which include Criminal Justice, Homeland Security Emergency Management, Cyber Security, Fire Service, Occupational Health and Safety, and Emergency Medical Service) to expand their commitment to reach a more diverse student population, broaden the curriculum to include topics such as systemic racism and implicit bias within the industries, and hire faculty of color that will help to enlarge perspectives of the programs.

Goals:

• Promote, support, and disseminate research regarding diversity and inclusion in Emergency Management.
• Increase the number of women and people of color within the emergency management profession and in leadership positions.
• Build resilience in communities of color by supporting innovative mitigation and adaptation projects.
• Highlight innovative diversity and inclusion practices enhancing community resilience.
• Promote and take actions to integrate social equity within the emergency management field to improve outcomes for communities of color and vulnerable populations.
• Diversify participation in the resilience and emergency management economy.

Website Resources:

Earthquake Country Alliance Accessibility Resources