Letter from the President

President Rich Rutkowski

I am pleased to announce the formation and implementation of the President's Commission on Diversity. This initiative will be led by two outstanding individuals, Dean of Student Services,  Dr. Deb Casey and Adjunct Faculty Member,  Carlos Adams, who will assume co-chair duties. 

A little background as to the rationale for this initiative may be helpful.  Our society grows more diverse each year and this fact has important implications for the students of Green River Community College. Corporations need employees who work effectively with customers from a wide range of social backgrounds. Public institutions know that public confidence increases when their workforce reflects the society they serve. Successful communities understand that an investment in under-represented populations provides social and economic dividends that benefit everyone. From an educational perspective, the opportunity for all students to interact constructively with people from different backgrounds is a hallmark of an effective higher education institution. It is notable that one of GRCC’s institutional goals is to prepare our diverse student body to succeed. 

I have charged the President’s Commission on Diversity with implementing the “diversity framework” that was developed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in collaboration with the Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education. The framework was published in Fall, 2004 and is available on line at http://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/DiversityFramework.htm.  I encourage everyone to review the document.  The Commission will begin by assessing GRCC’s current status and will then make strategic recommendations to me.   

The Multicultural and Equity Council and Executive Vice President April Jensen have been instrumental in developing the beginnings of this initiative.  However, it will take the involvement of many people for us to properly and successfully develop the framework. In the near future there will be an opportunity for campus community members to apply for positions on the Commission.  You will see announcements on the CommuniGator. I hope you will find a way to participate in this effort to help all of our students succeed.

 Sincerely,

Richard A. Rutkowski