First-Annual DEIJB Communities of Care Summit Empowers Participants

Attendees explored opportunities to learn, network, and engage in self-care

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB) at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) and Inver Hills Community College (Inver Hills) hosted the first-annual DEIJB Communities of Care Summit Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in the Dakota Room on the DCTC campus in Rosemount, Minnesota.

Dede Quevi with Afrocontigbo

Dede Quevi with Afrocontigbo

The summit opened with a video welcome from Michael Berndt, DCTC and Inver Hills president. Jeremy Clark, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at both colleges, delivered an introduction. Attendees then enjoyed a performance by Afrocontigbo, an African contemporary Igbo dance company. After performing, Afrocontigbo invited everyone in the Dakota Room to participate in an interactive dance workout.

A panel discussion with four representatives from the Minnesota Ethnic Councils took place next and was followed by three breakout sessions: Intersectionality, Universal Design Learning, and Self-Care and Mental Health. The summit provided seven plenary lunch affinity spaces—a set of places where people connect with each other via their identities, shared activities, interests, and goals. Food was provided by El Manana Restaurant, a family-owned Salvadorian restaurant that was a celebration nod for Hispanic Heritage Month. The summit ended with a closing session in the Dakota Room.

Jeremy Clark with Minnesota Ethnic Councils panelists

Jeremy Clark with Minnesota Ethnic Councils panelists

The DEIJB Team—Jeremy Clark, Raquel Calles, DEI partner, Gabriela Marín, DEI partner, and Manee Yang, program navigator—reported that the Communities of Care Summit was a space for coalition, collaboration, learning, and respite for all those who share a passion and dedication for the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging.

The summit drew DCTC and Inver Hills faculty, staff, and students along with representatives from community partners, nonprofits, school districts, and human services agencies. The team is hopeful that attendees will take summit learning back to their teams, organizations, and networks to foster a continued engagement in DEIJB work.

The DEIJB Team quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to offer encouragement to people taking on the responsibility of advancing the DEIJB mission: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

“This quote encapsulates a key to resilience,” the team said in a joint statement. “We know the work of DEIJB is hard, taxing, and emotionally draining at times, but we also know that together we can create cultural shifts and spaces where all belong—a human-centered approach that values and celebrates all communities!”


DEIJB Communities of Care Summit gallery

View more event photos by opening the DCTC Flickr album:

First-Annual DEIJB Communities of Care Summit Fall 2024

Afrocontigbo; link to DCTC Flickr album

More from the DEIJB Team…

The DEIJB Team extended much gratitude to participants on the summit’s Panel with Minnesota Ethnic Councils:

Communities of Care Summit's Minnesota Ethnic Councils Panel

Communities of Care Summit’s Minnesota Ethnic Councils Panel

Katya Zepeda

Katya Zepeda: Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs


Brandon Alkire

Brandon Alkire: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council


Theo Rose

Theo Rose: Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage


Andrew Morris

Andrew Morris: Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans


The DEIJB Team also thanked the speakers at the summit’s breakout sessions:

Marika ReeseDr. Raj Sethuraju

Marika Reese and Dr. Raj Sethuraju: Presented on Intersectionality


Lynn CoffeyKelli Hutton

Lynn Coffey, Psychology Faculty, Minneapolis College: Presented on Universal Design Learning
Kelli Hutton,
Psychology Faculty, Minneapolis College: Presented on Universal Design Learning


Rachel Lindquist
Rachel Lindquist: Presented on Self-Care and Mental Health

The DEIJB Team sent a special thanks to the planning committee that helped put together the first-annual DEIJB Communities of Care Summit:
  • Kate Olson
  • Melissa Fletcher
  • Anna Voight
  • Maggie Laurel
  • Mark Mccreary
  • Jill Fiedler
  • Caitlin Siefkes
  • Dede Pheretha Quevi
  • Harold Torrence
  • Melat Woldegebriel
  • Barb Curchack
  • Rahziya Akeem
  • Allison Jenson

“Lastly, we thank all those who signed up to help our team the day of the summit, including staff, students, and our operations teams,” the DEIJB Team added, “To many people to name, but all were instrumental in a smooth event that was both invigorating and impactful for all attendees!”

More about the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging

Three male DCTC students; link to Office of DEIJB

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging is designed to serve our Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College communities. Our work aims to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging (DEIJB) into every part of our organizations from the classroom experience, recruiting students, to hiring and retention practices, to providing the culture of respect, belonging and value we foster on our campuses.

Our Commitment

The Office of DEIJB, as well as the broader DCTC campus community, is strongly committed to excellence by including and integrating individuals who represent different race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, age, disability, national origin and religion.

DCTC does not only seek diversity, but also acceptance, appreciation, respect, and equality. Our campus community strives to create, promote, and sustain programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity.

Two female DCTC students; link to Office of DEIJB

DEIJB Focus Areas

The Office of DEIJB is committed to supporting the strategic plan through three pillars:

  1. Guided learning pathways
  2. Campus climate
  3. Community engagement

Our areas of focus also include driving student recruitment and retention, creating a positive campus climate, and ensuring professional development.

The Center for Diversity and Equity

The Center for Diversity and Equity provides cultural programming and functions as a campus-wide resource on social justice issues. The Center also serves as a support and resource for students from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Center services include:
  • Providing a space for students to interact, do homework, and check out our wide selection of resources pertaining to various social identities
  • Resources for students with disabilities
  • Planning social and cultural events
  • Providing support to multicultural student clubs and organizations.
  • Connecting students to multicultural resources on campus and in the community
  • Serving as a liaison between students, faculty, and staff (student advocacy)

Campus Support

The DCTC Wellness Room, a space dedicated for prayer, meditation, and unwinding, is open for everyone. Find the DCTC Wellness Room at 203 next to the Food Pantry. Gender-neutral restroom locations as well as other related resources can be found on the LGBTQ+ site.

Resources

Office of DEIJB Contacts

Jeremy Clark

Jeremy Clark

Jeremy Clark
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Department: Equity & Inclusion/Human Resources
Phone: 651-423-8535
Email: jeremy.clark@dctc.edu

Gabriela Marín

Gabriela Marín

Gabriela Marín
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Partner

Department: Equity & Inclusion
Office: 2-141P
Phone: 651-423-8659
Email: gabriela.andersen@dctc.edu
Hablo Español

Raquel Calles

Raquel Calles

Raquel Calles
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Partner

Department: Equity & Inclusion
Email: raquel.calles@dctc.edu
Hablo Español

Manee Yang

Manee Yang

Manee Yang
Program Navigator

Email: manee.yang@dctc.edu
Phone: 651-423-8293

Learn more about the Office of DEIJB at DCTC by contacting:

Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging
equityandinclusion@dctc.edu

 

Afrocontigbo; link to Office of DEIJB

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