Focus Areas

EDI initiatives are more likely to succeed when they are championed and driven by senior leadership. Members of this team can ensure that organizational goal setting, resource allocation, monitoring and evaluation consider EDI commitments.

Broad Goals:

1.    Align all institutional frameworks, policies and processes (including technological, social, human, research and academic) with the principles of EDI.
2.    Further develop key performance indicators and dashboard reporting to measure EDI progress. 
3.    Devote resources to support achievement of EDI goals.
4.    Increase leadership competency around EDI by continuing to engage in learning and coaching.

Effective organizational training and professional development sparks changes to attitudes and organizational culture and transforms the status quo.

Broad Goals:

1.    Continuously improve EDI competencies through professional development, training and communities of practice.
2.    Develop a multi-year EDI training plan for new and existing employees, including the identification of learning outcomes and appropriate resourcing.
3.    Develop and offer non-credit offerings and for-credit course electives in EDI.
4.    Develop and offer inclusive and accessible course curriculum, delivery and assessment strategies.

The Marketing, Communications & Advancement Department reflects the voice of Selkirk College, developing and defining the information and imagery that is shared with internal and external audiences. EDI-informed communication can raise awareness in a respectful and compelling manner that encourages engagement and understanding.

Selkirk College strives to reflect the diversity of its community in communication materials.

Broad Goals:

1.    Establish a central digital location for communications around EDI.
2.    Develop an EDI communications plan that celebrates diversity and brings awareness to issues of equity. This includes employee communications, web content, social media content and branded print materials.

As an educational institution, Selkirk College encourages all kinds of diversity, including diversity of thought. The college seeks to bridge divides through processes that encourage listening and learning from each other with curiosity, humility and empathy. Where conflicts arise, the college will endeavour to engage constructively to find resolution and, where possible, transformation. When employees or students experience harms related to EDI, the college will address them in ways that seek active accountability on the part of those responsible and reparation and healing for those affected.

Broad Goals:

1.    Provide opportunities for safe and courageous dialogue that will allow the Selkirk College community to transform conflicts and build bridges of understanding across divides.
2.    Establish safe channels for staff and students who identify as belonging to marginalized and/or equity-deserving groups to report incidents of microaggression, discrimination, bullying and harassment (e.g., through an ombudsperson or similar service).
3.    Implement restorative approaches for responding to harm arising from such incidents among employees and within the student population. 

Selkirk College is committed to creating EDI-related educational programming, learning opportunities and supports to meet the current and emerging needs of underrepresented students and their families across the communities it serves. 

Broad Goals:

1.    Ensure the services (Counselling, Healthy Campus, Learning Resource Centre, Co-op Education & Employment, Library) offered are meeting students’ diverse needs.
2.    Fundraise for accessible facilities upgrades.
3.    Fund and support student-led EDI projects, student recreation and clubs, events and gatherings.
4.    Ensure welcoming and safe experiences for all students from application, enrolment, registration and through matriculation.

Selkirk College is committed to creating opportunities to grow and maintain a diverse workforce. Work will focus on applying EDI lenses to policies while removing the biases and barriers in the employment processes. The college will strive to attract, select and support marginalized candidates and make decisions that are based on skill and ability. 

Broad Goals:

1.    Use EDI lenses in succession planning for executive positions and critical roles. 
2.    Incorporate bias-reduction strategies in all recruitment and hiring processes. Apply inclusive language in all job postings and recruitment material.
3.    Develop a process for safely and respectfully collecting and analyzing relevant data and EDI metrics that will support data-informed decision-making with respect to identifying priority initiatives and allocating resources.
4.    Implement inclusive onboarding processes to welcome diverse new employees and support their success at the college.

Selkirk College recognizes its leadership role in the region and is committed to building meaningful relationships with key marginalized groups and other external partners to further support and complement the successful delivery of its EDI goals. Community-level change ultimately supports students and staff in their lives beyond the college. 

Broad Goals:

1.    Evaluate and pursue partnership opportunities to advocate for EDI in the community.
2.    Establish authentic and meaningful relationships with local communities that have been historically overlooked.
3.    Provide education and support to community organizations in topics related to EDI.