Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The College of Southern Nevada strives to place diversity as an overarching principle and accreditation theme that impacts every area of our institution. Moreover, we make it a priority to continually plan and establish CSN’s identity, ensuring it remains consistent with our values as a whole.
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is part of the President’s Office and works closely with all levels of the administration, staff, and faculty to achieve its mission, vision, and goals.
Minority Serving Institution
In March 2014, CSN qualified as a Minority-Serving Institution under the AANAPISI category, as the institution had an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 50 percent Pell Grant Eligible and at least 10 percent Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander.
Hispanic Serving Institution
In January 2015, CSN became the first Hispanic Serving Institution in the state of Nevada. CSN has been preparing since 2012 for this honor when the college president appointed the HSI Task Force, made up of faculty, administrative staff, and community leaders, to coordinate HSI status attainment, provide guidance in the implementation of HSI-oriented communication and outreach efforts, guide the HSI application process and issue programming recommendations.
Students
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is proud to oversee the CSN Multicultural Center which is located within all three of the Student Unions in room 121. The mission of the Multicultural Center is to work collaboratively to affirm, educate, and empower our diverse CSN community. With a student-centered focus the Multicultural Center offers impactful programs and initiatives that provide opportunities for identity development, community engagement, and leadership cultivation to improve campus climate and increase retention. For more information, please refer to our Diversity & Multicultural Affairs webpage for more information on student programs and initiatives including:
- Empowerment Network Initiative
- Multicultural Student Organizations
- Multicultural Graduation Celebrations
Faculty & Staff
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is honored to work with CSN's diverse and talented faculty and staff. Nine diversity committees were created to ensure that faculty and staff have an opportunity to find community, be affirmed, and contribute to the college's overall mission of inclusion. Specifically, the committees offer campus events, workshops, and professional development opportunities. Please visit each group's website for more information including student, faculty, and staff resources.
Training & Development
In collaboration with the Center for Academic & Professional Excellence (CAPE), the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion works to increase diversity awareness and cultural sensitivity among faculty and staff with a focus on providing practical tools to enhance student success.
Presentations are offered by faculty and staff on a variety of topics including:
- disability awareness
- creating a fully inclusive classroom
- minority males and higher education
- having difficult conversations
- women in and out of the classroom
- diversity in the Latino community
- understanding the Native American community
- LGBTQ inclusion
CSN faculty and staff are also encouraged to participate in standardized trainings including Safe Zone and Dream Zone.
Programming
Programing has been proven to have several benefits for students and the college campus as a whole. The interactions brought out by events helps students, faculty, and staff to build relationships, understand different perspectives and engage other cultures.
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion also supports and recognizes several nationally recognized diversity months. Visit our Diversity Events website to learn more about upcoming programs in honor of these months.
Campus Diversity Initiatives
Together, we can make CSN an inclusive and welcoming place. Students, faculty, and staff continue to work collaboratively within several committees and initiatives to find our gaps and improve on our mission of inclusion and equity. The following are a few initiatives from across the campus engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
Diversity and Inclusion Assessment Strategic Plan Report - In 2019, the Sawgrass Group, Inc was contracted to conduct a year-long diversity, equity and inclusion assessment of the College of Southern Nevada. A full report with key findings and recommendations was submitted to CSN's executive leadership and governing groups. In the spirit of transparency, the full report can be viewed on the President's Blog - Sept 21, 2020.
Anti-Black Racism Taskforce - The Anti-Black Racism Taskforce was launched in Fall 2020 with the support of college leadership and is committed to addressing inequities on campus.
Accessibility Committee - A group dedicated to ensuring CSN creates and maintains a campus that is accessible to all. To join this committee, please contact Emily King.
Name Change Taskforce - Launched in Fall 2020, this group works to identify gaps and methods to support students, faculty, and staff seeking to change their name within the various systems at CSN.
Meet our Staff
Administrative Assistant III
Inclusive Learning
Academic Advisor/Counselor
Academic Advising Department