Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Antiracism, and Accessibility

The vision of Anne Arundel Community College (“College”) is to “transform lives to create an engaged and inclusive society.” As a product of and a contributor to Anne Arundel County’s workforce, culture and general demographics, the college values the uniqueness of every individual, including differences in life experiences, knowledge, viewpoints, innovation, self-expression, capabilities and talents.

I. Purpose

This Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Antiracism, and Accessibility Policy (“Policy”) is established to affirm the College’s support for efforts to promote antiracism and accessibility and achieve diversity, equity and inclusion for our student, faculty and staff.

II. Scope and Applicability

This Policy applies to all students, faculty and staff, including temporary employees, contractual employees and student employees.

III. Definitions

A. Accessibility is the practice of continuous improvement of the College’s facilities and information and communication technology (“ICT”) so that all students, faculty, staff, and members of the public, including individuals with disabilities, are able to independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

B. Antiracism is the practice of identifying, challenging and changing the values, structures and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.

C. DEIAA refers to diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and accessibility.

D. Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another, including but not limited to, race, including hair texture and hairstyles, color, ethnicity, gender, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, genetic information, military or veteran status, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives and values.

E. Equity is providing everyone with access to the same opportunities and potential for success. Equity ensures fairness by adjusting for differences in advantages and barriers.

F. Inclusion is authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision and policy making in a way that shares power.

IV. Promotion of DEIAA at the College

The College embraces and promotes DEIAA and fosters, cultivates and sustains DEIAA in its activities, admissions, community involvement, curriculum, employment, policies and programs.

Policy Title: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Antiracism, and Accessibility Policy

Policy Category: General

Policy Owner: President

Policy Administrator: Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer

Contact Information: Kellie McCants-Price, kmmccantsprice@aacc.edu, 410-777-2419

Approval Date: December 13, 2022

Effective Date: December 13, 2022

History: Adopted March 10, 2020; Revised February 23, 2021

Applies to: All College employees

Related Policies: Interim Nondiscrimination Policy

Forms/Guidelines: N/A

Relevant Laws: N/A