National Park College (NPC) was named one of 18 Most Promising Places to Work In Community Colleges by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. NPC was one of eight schools with a perfect score.
The award is presented annually to community and technical colleges who show a commitment to diversity through best-in-class student and staff recruitment and retention practices, inclusive learning and working environments, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities.
“We are proud to honor these colleges for their sustained commitment to diversity,” said Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “We are also pleased about the large number of applications this year. It shows that a growing number of colleges appreciate how critical diversity and inclusion initiatives are to their campuses and communities.”
The College prioritizes diversity as part of the strategic plan, which outlines the goals of celebrating diversity among students, staff, faculty, and supporting constituents, as well as identifying and eliminating institutional barriers to cultural diversity. Chief Diversity Officer, Darla Thurber established a Diversity and Inclusion Council who is working to craft the College’s first Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
Thurber worked with the Cultural Diversity Awareness Club to establish the “We Belong” Guest Speaker Series this year to provide the campus with a better knowledge of and appreciation for diverse cultures and heritages. The culmination of the series was a panel discussion regarding challenges and opportunities facing diverse populations today. “It is important that everyone feel welcome on campus and that we demonstrate tolerance and respect for others. Exposing our students and ourselves to various cultures and ideas helps us to better understand one another. We learn we have many differences, but those differences make us stronger,” said Thurber.
“Being recognized at a national level for the investment and commitment we make in our employees is an honor I consider one of National Park College’s crowning moments. We recognize that our employees are what make us exceptional,” said Vice President for Human Resources, Janet Brewer.
’Brewer noted the College’s minority recruitment percentage increased to 21 percent
this year and there was no pay gap between male and female faculty pay for the second
year in a row. NPC assists international faculty members with transitioning so they
can teach on campus and share new cultures with students.
The award also focuses on meaningful community service and engagement. NPC encourages
employees to volunteer and stay engaged in the community as part of the employee evaluation
process.
“I could not have been prouder to accept the award on behalf of our college for our
people and for our community. It is most certainly a privilege to be recognized nationally
as one of the top 18 Most Promising Places To Work in 2018,” Brewer added.
Pictured is Janet Brewer, vice president for human resources accepting NPC’s award
at the 2018 NISOD conference.
The award-winning institutions were recognized during NISOD’s International Conference
of Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 26-29, in Austin, Texas and featured in
the May 17, 2018 edition of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.
