Diversity and Inclusion
One GCC
One GCC is a new campaign to showcase what each ONE of us is doing to promote Inclusive Excellence on campus. Are you mentoring ONE underrepresented student or a new employee? Are you using more culturally-themed materials in your curriculum or expanding the visual representation of people of color in your materials? Are you and your work buddies participating in ONE of the many cultural competency professional development opportunities? Are you a student embracing inclusion and making new friends?
If so, please Follow Us on Facebook and share the wonderful things that you are doing. Remember, even though we are individually unique and special, we are all here to form ONE supportive and inclusive educational community.
About Inclusive Excellence
Strategic Plan
Genesee Community College is committed to celebrating diversity, ensuring equity, and creating an environment where all of our students, faculty, and staff feel valued and included. With a promise to focus on these efforts, one of the five priorities of our new Strategic Plan (2018-2023) is to, “Cultivate a community that fosters respect and appreciation for individual and group differences. Demonstrate our commitment to the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout all endeavors.” The specific objectives we hope to achieve are as follows:
- Increase recruitment, retention, and completion of underrepresented student populations.
- Create opportunities to help students develop competencies associated with equity, diversity, and inclusion within courses, certificates, and/or degree programs.
- Expand co-curricular and student life opportunities that will foster interactions to help students develop competencies associated with diversity, inclusion, global citizenship, social justice, equity, and community fairness.
- Increase employment and retention of underrepresented populations.
- Enhance the cultural awareness, skills, and competencies of employees.
Inclusive Excellence Committee
The Inclusive Excellence Committee (IEC) (formerly known as the Diversity Council) is comprised of voluntary members of faculty, staff, and students who seek to support and promote diversity initiatives at the college. It was created by Joanna Barefoot in 2011, with her dream of opening a multicultural resource center on campus.
If you would like to join the Inclusive Excellence Committee or request resources, please contact Madeline Reichler at mereichler@empirecineplex.com.
LGBTQ+ Resources
“All Gender” Bathrooms
Here at Genesee Community College, we recognize that having a bathroom where one feels safe and comfortable is of high importance to many of our students. A 2021 SUNY policy declared that all public single-occupancy bathrooms on SUNY campuses must be designated as gender neutral. GCC’s Batavia campus has five all-gender bathrooms. One can be found in the lobby of the Stuart Steiner Theatre, one in the Wellness Center, one on each floor of the Student Success Center, and one in the Richard C. Call Arena.
Preferred First Name Policy
Genesee Community College recognizes that you may want to use a first name that is different from your legal name. Therefore we have created a “Preferred Name Procedure” which allows students to use their preferred name in MyGCC, Flexible Registration, DegreeWorks, and in Self-Service Banner for advisee listings, class rosters, and grade submission forms. In order to change your name, you must fill out the Preferred Name Request form.
There are some limitations to using your preferred name, which should be noted and prepared for:
- Official records, documents, and mailed correspondence will be in your legal name. This includes diplomas, college ID cards, financial records, and academic transcripts.
- You may only change your name once an academic year.
- GCC reserves the right to deny a request if the name is trademarked, associated with a public figure, or may legally misrepresent you.
Open Door Internship Program
The Open Door Internship Program is a new, one-semester program created to welcome employees from underrepresented communities to explore if a future in higher education is the path for them. Once accepted into the program, individuals will receive professional development training and an experienced mentor to help guide their first semester teaching or working as a staff member within the campus community. If you like the idea of working in community college education and hope to empower students through your own experiences and expertise, we hope you consider this opportunity!
Requirements:
Successful teaching candidates will:
- Be diverse and represent a historically underrepresented population
- Have no prior college work experience
- Hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution in a discipline taught at GCC
– Or –
- Be a current graduate student and have completed 15 credits toward a master’s degree from an accredited institution, in a discipline taught at GCC (see Degree Programs for disciplines taught at GCC).
Successful staff candidates will:
- Be diverse and represent a historically underrepresented population
- Have no prior college work experience
- Hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution
Application Instructions:
To be considered, applicants must apply fthrough The Open Door Program position listed on the Employment Opportunities Website. Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest, resume or CV, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references, along with copies of your transcripts. If hired, official transcripts must be submitted to the Human Resources Office.
If you have questions regarding this opportunity or the status of your application, please contact Sara Vacin, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, at sevacin@empirecineplex.com or 585-343-0055 x6478.
As this program is new and positions are limited, please know that our doors are open and this institution looks forward to welcoming you! We are honored that you considered GCC on your career and higher education path!