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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

FLCC promotes a campus environment and culture that values diversity in all its forms. We acknowledge the unique identity of each member of our community and recognize the benefits of sharing experiences, viewpoints, and ideas in a climate of civility and respect.

Promoting DEI at FLCC

Our campus community sees difference as an asset. We value our faculty, staff, students, visitors, and friends of our college and promote diversity and inclusion across our entire organization. We are committed to creating a culture of respect, equity, and inclusion, and believe it is the responsibility of each member of our campus.

Term Definition

Diversity

 Diversity can be broadly defined to include all aspects of human difference. We at FLCC recognize those differences arising from systemic social injustices. This includes — but is not limited to — age, ethnicity, race, gender expression and identity, language, learning preference, mental and physical ability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status.

Equity

 FLCC defines equity as equal opportunity and access to resources essential for the full involvement and development of all stakeholders. Addressing equity necessitates identifying inequalities and deliberately supporting marginalized groups and removing any affiliated obstacles.

Inclusion

 FLCC defines inclusion as creating a welcoming environment that supports the full contribution of all stakeholders. Sincere inclusion provides an opportunity for genuine participation and an accurate sense of belonging that fosters discourse and networks among individuals and groups.

A Message from our Chief Diversity Officer

Sim Covington

It is a true honor to serve as the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer for Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC). As an institution of higher learning, FLCC continues to distinguish itself for its quality academic programs and the strides it makes around diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we move our campus and the greater Finger Lakes region forward, FLCC is committed to advancing a pluralistic environment where all community members can learn, contribute, and thrive.

Sim J. Covington, Jr., Ed.D.

Welcome to FLCC. You Belong Here.

Learning is easier when you belong. The college experience is enhanced when students, faculty, and staff interact with people whose identities, worldviews, and experiences are diverse in nature. This is how FLCC builds a culture of inclusion.

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Programs and Initiatives

FLCC organizes programs, initiatives, and events that foreground diversity, equity, and inclusion. Find out how we celebrate difference through dialogue, community service, and art.

View DEI Programs and Initiatives
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DEI Services and Resources

A diverse student and staff population requires institutional support. FLCC offers resources and guidance to help our campus community thrive. Learn how our offices create and maintain an equitable and inclusive learning environment.

View DEI Services and Resoruces

Accessibility at FLCC

Finger Lakes Community College is committed to providing students, staff, and faculty equal access to all programs, services, and activities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan

FLCC's DEI Plan sets campus-wide goals and strategies to continue our diversity, equity, and inclusion work. It explores key aspects of FLCC life and how to improve outcomes in those categories. This includes demographics, programming, training, and community outreach. The annual report outlines our progress on DEI goals and showcases our ongoing work.

Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals

College campuses cannot enjoy the benefits of diversity without ensuring equitable and inclusive treatment for all. FLCC has identified six strategic goals to assist those who have been silenced and marginalized. The Presidential Diversity Council approved the following goals to enhance our commitment to diversity, foster an inclusive culture, and advocate for equity in the community.

  • Goal

    Strategically recruit, employ, train, cultivate, and recognize faculty, staff, and administrators from underrepresented backgrounds. Support the success and achievements of diverse employees across all segments of the institution.

    Strategic Objective #1

    Recruit and retain diverse faculty, staff, and administrators by providing pathways for qualified candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to assume full-time and part-time faculty ranks. Actively recruit administrators and staff from historically marginalized populations.

    Strategic Objective #2

    Increase our efforts to have individuals with veteran status reflected in our institutional personnel. FLCC aims to achieve a representation of veterans in line with national, state, and regional demographics. As a military-friendly school, FLCC is dedicated to retaining and promoting our veteran faculty and staff.

  • Goal

    Increase the quantitative representation of diversity within the student body. Improve recruitment, retention, and completion rates for our underrepresented student populations.

    Strategic Objective #1

    Retain students from underrepresented backgrounds. Our extended orientation program provides additional mentoring for underrepresented students. HyFlex technology increases college access and helps more students earn a college education (including those with transportation challenges or childcare responsibilities).

    Strategic Objective #2

    Recruit students from underrepresented backgrounds. We collaborate with regional K-12 school districts, nonprofits, and area businesses to connect with a more diverse student population.

  • Goal

    Provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful academic experiences that foster an understanding of themselves and others—specifically around social justice issues, positionality, internationality, and civic engagement. Incorporate High-Impact Practices (HIPs) proven to support retaining students from underrepresented backgrounds.

    Strategic Objective #1

    Weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into institutional course offerings by:

    • Developing discipline-specific DEI plans for each academic department on how to align diversity within their curriculum.
    • Incorporating principles of EIT Accessibility to create courses and integrate multiple delivery modalities for in-person and online courses.
    • Creating new courses focused on diversity-based topics, highlighting the lived experiences of those from marginalized groups and committed to social justice.
    • Establishing a new diverse faculty-in-residence program.

    Strategic Objective #2

    Incorporate High Impact Practices to help meet the needs of a diverse student body by:

    • Offering first-year seminars that build students' intellectual and practical competencies.
    • Creating common intellectual experiences that incorporate both curricular and co-curricular options for students.
    • Establishing long-term learning communities.
    • Providing undergraduate research opportunities to support intellectual curiosity.
    • Supporting internship programs that assist students with becoming workforce-ready.

  • Goal

    Provide educational opportunities focused on social identity, implicit bias, social justice, and equitable outcomes for campus personnel.

    Strategic Objective

    Offer training on a range of topics to foster a better understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion among the greater campus community. This includes:

    • Inviting speakers to all staff meetings to address topics pertaining to higher education DEI.
    • Hosting industry experts during Opening Days ceremonies who focus on supporting student success through a lens of equity and inclusion.
    • Developing workshops, seminars, and trainings that assist faculty in creating inclusive classrooms and pedagogies.

  • Goal

    With a focus on student, faculty and staff retention, FLCC will explore new opportunities for success and interconnectedness within the campus community.

    Strategic Objective #1

    Use data-informed initiatives (such as the GCTWF Survey) to improve the employee experience at FLCC.

    Strategic Objective #2

    Build a sense of community on campus and in student housing by:

    • Ensuring that college information and images reflect our diverse student body.
    • Supporting accessibility and addressing barriers for individuals living with permanent or temporary disabilities.
    • Hosting town hall discussions on diverse student experiences at college.

    Strategic Objective #3

    Create and revise policies and procedures to increase their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (such as adopting an institutionally recognized name policy and an institutional gender inclusion policy).

  • Goal

    With a focus on student, faculty, and staff retention, FLCC will explore new opportunities to build supportive relationships with the surrounding community.

    Strategic Objective

    Establish stronger ties between the college and the surrounding community with a particular emphasis on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion projects. This includes:

    • Collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce to build a greater sense of connection with area businesses.
    • Working with community leaders to strengthen communication between the college and the local community.
    • Hosting community forums focused on building an atmosphere of inclusion within the region.
    • Partnering with local law enforcement to engage in community-building initiatives.

Laker Voices

An Assessment of Climate for Learning, Living, and Working.

DEI Resources

Contact Us

Sim Covington
Chief Diversity Officer, Dean of Student Athlete Development

Canandaigua Campus

Room: 1400

585-785-1790

sim.covington@flcc.edu

Sim is available to speak at your next event or organize a diversity training. Contact him to learn how he can help your organization meet its DEI goals.