Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (DEI) works to assist with development of the One Virginia Plan to reflect our framework of inclusive excellence; provides support and acts as a working group for the Equity and Unity Ad Hoc Committee; analyzes available survey data and identifies potential activities to address data-identified needs; educates the college on the importance of diversity on academic success; provides regular communication to the college community on council initiatives and progress; provides support and advocates for Institutional Diversity Goals (below); as applicable, prepares the Laurel Ridge Diversity Report for the president’s signature per system office guidelines and deadlines; and serves as an advisory body to ex officio members, President and CHRO, on matters of Diversity and Inclusion.

Faculty Fellows –  Students vary in their learning preferences, cultural and social experiences, and cognitive abilities, creating significant barriers to academic success. Most instructors have likely tried dozens of assessments and found that different approaches work for different needs, student populations, and goals. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach can be used to enhance assessments in a way that reaches the broadest possible audience.

Laurel Ridge Community College  Faculty Fellows implemented UDL in a variety of class assessments.

Classified Staff – started an ad-hoc Equity and Inclusion subcommittee in January 2022. CSC (Classified Staff Council) has historically been run by and attended almost entirely by salaried front-office staff, which is about 40 percent of the entire body of classified staff. The initial charge of the subcommittee is to engage the remaining 60 percent of classified staff, consisting of part-time, clinical wage, buildings and grounds, and police staff to ensure CSC is serving their needs, and try to create feedback systems as a proxy for meeting attendance, since meetings are not as easy to attend for these groups.

Guide of Minority-owned Businesses: A guide created by the DEI Council that lists minority businesses found in the Laurel Ridge Community College service region, including Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren Counties, and the City of Winchester. Our list includes businesses owned by women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), first-generation immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and veterans

Administration

• Andrea Lo
• Vivi Meder
• Cory Thompson

Classified Staff

• Chris Lambert (Chair)
• Kayla Buckles
• Andy Gyurisin (Education & Awareness Subcommittee Chair)
• Tiffany Matthews (Membership Subcommittee Chair)
• Sarah Murphy
• Catherine Robbins

Faculty

• Cody Fouts (Vice-Chair/Scribe)
• George Efi Agbor
• Joanna Nowak
• Rehka Parameswaran
• Cristy Stefnoski

Student Government Association

• Bing Morgan
• John Redden

Human Resources

• JoAnn Ellwood (Ex officio)
• Faith Gaile (Ex officio)

Institutional Research

• Amy Judd (Ex officio, Data Collection & Evaluation Subcommittee Chair)

President

• Kim Blosser (Ex officio)

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council meets every fourth Friday of the month 9 – 10 a.m. via Zoom.

Spring 2025 Meeting Schedule:

• January 24
• February 28
• March 28
• April 25

*Meeting Zoom link is shared with students, faculty, and staff prior to each meeting

**DEI does not meet in December, June, July or August