Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Created in 2020, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is charged with carrying out former President and CEO Bryan Albrecht’s commitment on the college’s behalf "to join the effort to heal our community through justice, and respect the dignity that all people deserve" to further the interests of the diverse community Gateway serves and to further the current strategic plan to create an equitable and inclusive campus. Below, you’ll find an overview of the Office’s work and key definitions.

Equity Report and Strategic Plan

Two Gateway documents provide detail and background to the college’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The first is the Local Equity report, a collaborative publication released in June 2020. The report analyzes equity gaps that exist for program students and offers interventions that emphasize DEI. The second report, the 2022-24 DEI Strategic Plan, offers insight into Gateway’s overall plan and goals for DEI at the college.

Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights oversees Civil Rights/Equal Opportunity and Title IX regulations, among others, helping to ensure Gateway’s commitment both to the letter and spirit of the law, as well as to maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Student Accommodations and Accessibility Services

Student Accommodations and Accessibility Services provides a full range of support services/reasonable accommodations requested by learners with disabilities so they have equal access to learning opportunities to reach their educational goals. Learn more about Student Accommodations and Accessibility Services, how to request accommodations and how to get one-on-one support and academic resources through the TRiO Achievers Group.

WTCS Definitions

Diversity encompasses an array of experiences including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disabilities, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin. An appreciative awareness of diversity provides the foundation for the understanding that individuals are shaped by this array of experiences.

Equity refers to the intentional practice of identifying the unique needs within our diverse student and employee populations, and in turn providing the support necessary for each individual to succeed in their academic and career goals.

Inclusion is the degree to which all individuals in a community are welcomed, valued, respected, heard and able to participate. Creating inclusive college communities requires intentional action to address historical under-representation and exclusion with respect to academic and career success, hiring, promotion and leadership, campus climate, curriculum and access to resources.