Rhodes State College Receives Corporate Leadership in Diversity Inclusion Award

Rhodes State College received the Corporate Leadership in Diversity Inclusion Award at the September 22^nd Community Enrichment Dinner (CED). Over 700 community members attended the event, hosted by the CED, a local nonprofit organization. “This event was an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate inclusion and diversity among our organizations and businesses. Rhodes State is honored to receive this prestigious award. Through our Rhodes States’ Strategic Plan: Inventing Our Future Together, our DEI efforts continue to expand,” commented Dr. Spiers. “In 2021 Dr. Renee Bradley, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion joined Rhodes State’s Cabinet. Her leadership has helped us make positive strides to enhance our DEI outreach and support,” added Dr. Spiers, President of Rhodes State College. 

“Rhodes State College has always had a footprint in diversity and champions the importance and value of a diverse and inclusive college environment,” stated Dr. Renee Bradley. “Our goal is to advance a culture of respect where individuals from all diverse backgrounds are able to thrive in an inclusive environment for all students.” 

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Hometown Stations Interview - Black History Month

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In 2019, the College started offering a monthly "Empower Hour" where women from the college network while learning about leadership and mentoring opportunities in higher education. The College's connection with The American Council on Education Women’s Network (ACE/WNO) inspired this event. If you’d like to learn more about these events or would like to participate as a speaker/workshop leader, please contact Kim Miller at miller.k9@rhodesstate.edu.

Black History Month

Every year Black History Month sparks an annual debate about the use of one month (February) to celebrate the history and accomplishments of Black/African Americans. Rhodes State challenges you to join us in the celebration of Black history and culture all year by listening to the words and comments from RSC alumni and current employees express what Black History means to them. Sharing these videos will help to expand the history and culture of this celebration beyond the month of February.

2022

Watch Black History Month Videos

2023

The Conversation suggests what may have happened if the two of the most influential and intriguing figures of the Civil Rights Era (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X) had a one-on-one conversation at the height of the movement.  The actors (Rev. John McCants and Buddy Hanna) present an interesting dialogue bringing life to historic context still relevant today.

Juneteenth

2023

Juneteenth commemorates an effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. Today, we continue to celebrate this historic event.

2022

Rhodes State College supported the 2022 Juneteenth celebration held in Downtown Lima, which was hosted by The Council for the Arts. The event consisted of a Black and White Ball and a runway fashion show on Friday, June 17th at the Veterans Memorial Civic Center. Saturday, June 18th was a time for ‘fun in the sun’ and to greet potential new students with an interest in the wonderful academic programs Rhodes State College has to offer.

RSC DEI has two advisory committees each with a specific purpose in advancing DEI at the College.  Our Community Advisory Committee assists with bringing awareness to challenges experienced by underserved individuals throughout the communities we serve. Our Internal Advisory Committee assists in fostering a commitment to increasing diversity at RSC by enhancing a culture of respect where all individuals, regardless of their background, are able to thrive and engage in social, academic, and intellectual life at the College. 

Internal Advisory Committee Members:

• Andrea Goings, Executive Director, Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator
• Joseph Abbott, Chair, Instructor, Humanities & Social Sciences, Technology & Liberal Studies
• Ann Best, Assistant Dean, Health Sciences & Public Service
• Hanna Keller Staff Advisor, Advising & Counseling
• Bradley Bergstrand, Coordinator, Testing & Accommodative Services, Testing Center
• Abby Miller, Coordinator, Internships & Experiential Learning, Workforce & Community Development
• Kim Miller, Director, Alumni and Development
• Jesse Puram, Instructor, Physics, Mathematics & Physical Sciences, Technology & Liberal Studies
• Ahmad Mehmood, Assistant professor, Engineering Technology, Technology & Liberal Studies
• Andrei Iacob, Research Analyst, Institutional Effectiveness Planning
• Carol Allen, Accountant 1, Business Office

RSC DEI Community Advisory Committee Employee and/or Service Location List for 2022-2024:

• Allen County Veterans Service Commission
• Bradfield Community Center
• City of Lima
• Crime Victim Services
• Honda of America
• Job and Family Services Allen County
• L.A.C.N.I.P.
• Lima Area Black Ministerial Alliance
• Lima City Schools
• Lima Memorial Hospital
• Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRSB)
• Mercy Health
• Mid-Point Connecting Group
• Ohio Diversity Council
• Ohio Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
• Procter and Gamble Lima Plant
• Providence Missionary Baptist Church
• United Way of Lima

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

Rhodes State College values the pluralistic nature of our society reflected in diversities of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, economic status, gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or abilities. The College recognizes the strengths and challenges that come with social variety and thus promotes diversity in its vision and practices for equity and inclusion.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals