{"id":4673,"date":"2020-08-21T19:33:36","date_gmt":"2020-08-21T19:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/president\/?p=4673"},"modified":"2023-12-06T18:24:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T18:24:02","slug":"hard-questions-and-thoughtful-conversations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/president\/2020\/08\/21\/hard-questions-and-thoughtful-conversations\/","title":{"rendered":"Hard Questions and Thoughtful Conversations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a community cornerstone, St. Petersburg College<\/a> is working to ensure that the learning environment provided for students is an equitable one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One effort on the college\u2019s behalf was an in-depth examination of its own culture. It was had at a recent collegewide employee event that encouraged meaningful discussion, self-examination, and understanding of the topic of equity. SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams<\/a> said that the July 31 Live Equity event and other college initiatives to promote equity are important because student needs vary greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe look at groups, but when you get down to equity, it\u2019s down to the individuals,\u201d Williams said. \u201cWe can\u2019t assume that because a student is part of one group that they are all the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Live Equity event, led by Erik Smith, managing member of Inclusivity, LLC, offered many opportunities for attendees to listen, share, and elevate their understanding of equity through virtual breakout sessions. Then presentation of data and information preceded the breakout sessions. The sessions allowed small groups to discuss the topics. Including the question, \u201cWhat can we do to support our SPC community?\u201d Participants came back with ideas regarding listening, open-mindedness, and self-awareness. They also challenged their colleagues. \u201cBe honest with ourselves, embrace differences, show awareness and sensitivity. Be aware of your own implicit bias. Ask what we can do to help,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another testament to the college\u2019s commitment to equity is the creation of the role of an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Director at the college. Dr. Devona Pierre, Ed.D., stepped into the position this month. Pierre previously served in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity at the University of South Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will work to ensure equity by reviewing our policies, procedures and practices,\u201d Pierre said. \u201cAdditionally, I hope to work collaboratively with the college community to identify priorities, our vision and strategic initiatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Williams said that as the college develops its own culture of inclusivity and equity, communication is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all coming together,\u201d she said. \u201cCommunication is the biggest piece and the one with the most challenge. Today we took a giant step forward for equity \u2013 the first of many. We\u2019re going to continue to talk about all those things that are hidden in plain sight because we\u2019re a Titan family, and we love and respect each other.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As a community cornerstone, St. Petersburg College is working to ensure that the learning environment provided for students is an equitable one. One effort on the college\u2019s behalf was an in-depth examination of its own culture. It was had at a recent collegewide employee event that encouraged meaningful discussion, self-examination, and understanding of the topic…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":743,"featured_media":4678,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,38],"tags":[],"coauthors":[123],"class_list":["post-4673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-we-are-spc"],"yoast_head":"\r\nHard Questions and Thoughtful Conversations - SPC President<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read how St. Petersburg College is having the right conversations to ensure an equitable learning environment.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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