Moraine Valley Initiating Districtwide 'Dialogue' On Diversity

As a core value on campus, Moraine Valley Community College places a high priority on diversity. To that end, the college is inviting the community to participate in its first "Community Dialogue on Promoting Diversity and Inclusion" on Friday, Oct. 29, from 7:30 a.m. to noon in the college's Moraine Business and Conference Center, Building M, on campus, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills.

Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 8 a.m. There is no cost to attend.

Participants, including state government officials, mayors, school administrators, nonprofit personnel, religious leaders, community members, and Moraine Valley staff and students will gather to begin a conversation about creating opportunities to foster and advance diversity and inclusion throughout the 26 communities in the college's district and the region.

The program will include a keynote address by Doug Harris, president of Kaleidoscope, a training and development consulting group; a question and answer session; roundtable discussions to share best practices and develop supportive strategies around diversity; and a wrap-up and next steps planning session.

"My hope is that people from one community will learn about something people are doing in another municipality, and those people will in turn learn something from another area," said Charmaine Sevier, manager of diversity and employment at Moraine Valley. "It's really about getting the community talking with each other about diversity issues and having resources to deal with different situations."

To reserve a seat at the event, call the college's Human Resources office at (708) 974-5704, or e-mail mvccdiversity@morainevalley.edu.