The Monday Message – A Commitment to Diverse Voices

In my office, directly to the left of my computer screen, hangs the gorgeous calendar prepared by Annandale’s Student Life. In honor of Black History Month, February is graced by a photo of last year’s “I Have a Dream” Board that was created by the Black Student Alliance. In the anonymity of brightly colored chalk, last year NOVA students shared dreams of every kind.

They wrote about career aspirations: to become a bestselling author, a judge, a film director, a child life specialist, and the next Black president. They wrote about college aspirations: to earn a 4.0 GPA, to speak Spanish, to get a PhD, to help people learn to enjoy and embrace NVCC (love that one!), and to get my degree. They wrote about personal goals: to be happy, to be happier, to share love, and to make money. They wrote about surmounting everyday challenges: to overcome my mental illness; to change health care policy; to stay in school; to own a car.

We are so very lucky that our students bring these dreams to our College, that they feel NOVA is where they can make these dreams come true. It is an honor–and a responsibility. All month, I have used this photo as a touchstone in thinking about the incredible work we do at NOVA and the work we still have to do to ensure equity in our students’ success.

In my remarks at Convocation, I shared that NOVA would be adding a Chief Diversity Officer. The draft description for this position—which is now the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer—has recently been shared with the Diversity and Inclusion Council, the College Senate, and Admin Council for feedback, so you will likely be asked for your feedback by one or more of these groups. I hope you will share your thoughts about how NOVA can craft a leadership role that keeps us focused on creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes equity in practice, policies, and outcomes. While this important work must be owned by all of us, having a voice at the table to inform, shape, and guide the work is essential.

Thank you in advance for your input and, as always, thank you for your commitment to NOVA, our students, and their dreams.

All the best,

Anne