Northeastern Junior College
Northeastern Junior College (NJC) is a public institution that was founded in 1941. It has a total undergraduate population of 1,547, its setting is town, and the campus size is small. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The enrolled student population at Northeastern Junior College is 69% White, 13% Hispanic/Latino, 6% Black, 5% Race Unknown, 3% Multiracial, 2% International, and 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native. There are about 57% identified female and 43% identified male students. 81% of students are from Colorado.
Engagement Summary
Northeastern Junior College has designed their service delivery model based on student input and they are training students to be trainers and deliver their bystander intervention programs. Diversity has increased in regard to faculty and staff recruitment.
Because of their diverse search team, NJC was able to address challenges with tenure, as well as conducting exit interviews with faculty and staff to better understand their colleagues of color. NJC made sure to post available positions in different locations to attract diverse candidates. They also hired an ombudsperson who served all students. International staff members and student coordinator were recruited to work in the Student Success Center and in Student Enrollment.
“Embrace the Culture” was formed in NJC to focus on the concerns of students of color. Programming to create conversation on current national and international events was available. Funds were available to advertise events all over campus. Faculty and staff provided resources to NJC through presenting at conferences and enabling student leaders to meet with students from other schools.
To improve the overall campus experience for students of color, it was recommended that NJC created opportunities for cultural and diverse programs and increased coordination and support for student clubs by co-sponsoring events and assisting them with resources, such as spaces, to be able to successfully offer programs. It was also suggested that NJC began collaborating with partners from various offices across campus to provide training in regard to multicultural competence and unconscious bias training to faculty.
The third recommendation was that technology could be used more effectively in promoting events and services to students and in facilitating connectedness among students of color.
The final recommendation was to host quarterly workshops with outside speakers to hold discussions both campus wide and with students only. These speakers can be connected to NJC through JED or the Steve Fund, and the workshops will provide insights into innovations concerning mental health needs in students of color.
Midterm Evaluation Progress-to-Goal Snapshot
Northeastern Junior College had a goal to continue the Diversity Fair and to start an LGBTQ+ club, to work closely with the new state level diversity and inclusion director, Dr. Ryan Ross, and to host at least one diversity forum a semester to hear directly from students.
Highlights include:
- NJC has made the Diversity Fair a yearly tradition to take place every March.
- A new hashtag, #NortheasternNation, was also established to promote the new diversity/inclusion committee.
- The Diversity Inclusion Committee started 3 new clubs: Plains People Pride (a LGBTQ+ club open to allies), Mi Familia (plans social events that are themed around Mexican culture), and Northeastern Nation Students (promotes school spirit and gathers students to celebrate sporting events).
- Dr. Ryan Ross has made himself available to collaborate campus wide and held a session, leaving people excited for the next session with Dr. David Rivera.
- NortheasternNation has posted videos from staff and students, and a YouTube video on Mi Familia was uploaded.