Lewis & Clark has long been a pioneer in many facets of the liberal arts. From championing climate change as the first American institution to comply with the greenhouse gas emissions outlined in the Kyoto Protocol, to our successful use of the Portfolio Path in admissions long before it was in vogue in higher education, we have been leaders with a proud history of innovative thinking.
There are, however, areas in which we can and should do better as an institution of higher education and as a community. One of these pertains to diversity. While Lewis & Clark has made great strides at cultivating a just and welcoming environment, there remains significant room to improve. The presence in our community of individuals from underrepresented groups does not yet match our stated commitment to a diverse campus. Our discourse around hegemony and privilege is often compartmentalized and often does not bridge homogenous peer groups. Our community has yet to define our goals for cultivating in our students a level of cultural competence necessary for success in the 21st century.
We should be proud of what we have accomplished, and we will continue to seek a brighter intellectual and pragmatic future for our community in regard to cultural diversity and exchange. In an effort to focus our efforts in this regard, I have asked that Dr. Celestino Limas to serve as Lewis & Clark’s first Chief Diversity Officer. Many of you have already come to know and value Dr. Limas, our Dean of Students since his arrival in July. As Chief Diversity Officer, Celestino will be responsible for encouraging the campus discussion surrounding diversity, consolidating our efforts in this area, and ensuring that they represent who we want to be as an institution and community. With Dr. Limas’s appointment, our community now has someone who can advocate for our diversity efforts at an institutional level and assist as well with local initiatives across campus. As a member of the Executive Council, he will lead one of the College’s Strategic Initiatives to define, cultivate, and direct Lewis & Clark’s diversity strategy. This project will include the following:
* Identifying and recognizing what we are already accomplishing in the area of diversity
* Defining what diversity means at Lewis & Clark from traditional and non-traditional perspectives
* Mapping out a comprehensive diversity assessment strategy
* Establishing a town-hall approach to help us develop a shared definition for cultural competency
* Working with campus constituencies to cultivate areas where we can improve our knowledge and appreciation for diversity as well as our awareness of hegemonic facets of our current practices
* Collaborating with our three admissions offices to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups and cultivate the on-campus resources necessary to their success
* Creating and strengthening connections with Portland communities of color
* Developing ways that our Chief Diversity Officer can serve as a resource for all areas of campus
This is difficult work that has the potential for polarization and dissension. I strongly believe, however, as does Dr. Limas, that the benefits of simply engaging in this process will be of benefit to our community and to our students’ education. He has already begun work on these efforts and will soon be convening a task force of students, faculty, and staff to advance this important project. Please join me in supporting his efforts and extend Dr. Limas every courtesy as he leads this critical institutional initiative.
All my best,
Tom Hochstettler
President
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Thomas J. Hochstettler
President, Lewis & Clark College
Portland, Oregon 97219
U.S.A.
Telephone (503) 768-7680
Facsimile (503) 768-7688
