Equity Statement

At Mt. Hood Community College we hold ourselves accountable to align our systems, policies, practices, and resource allocations to strategically and purposefully advance equity. We recognize the harm done to historically excluded people. We work towards a future where all people across the spectrum of difference thrive at Mt. Hood Community College. We seek to provide every person within our community the tools to be successful. We actively design equitable systems to promote fairness and justice.

Mt. Hood Community College prioritizes equity and acknowledges the importance of the ongoing and intentional work to interrupt oppression and remove barriers that perpetuate inequity. We strive to become an organization that demonstrates equity in concept, practice, and outcomes, where all people are valued and feel a sense of belonging.

Vision Statement

Mt.Hood Community College is valued as a cornerstone of the community for affordability, equitable student success, innovation, and financial stewardship.

Mission Statement

With a commitment to being inclusive, Mt.Hood Community College offers a full range of education and training in a supportive environment to advance personal and professional growth.We are a community hub for cultural, economic, recreational, and intellectual enrichment

MHCC is Committed to These Values

Accessibility

We seek to minimize barriers

Equity

We value fairness and impartiality

Innovation

We believe in continuous improvement

Learning

We foster an environment to support student success

Quality

We aspire to excellence in all our programs and services

Support

We seek to create an encouraging environment

Goals

Goal A - Improve Teaching and Learning Practices and Processes to Support Learning and Success for All Students.

Goal B - Provide the Full Range of Educational and Support Programs and Services Needed to Allow Students to Meet their Educational, Career, and Personal Goals

Goal C - Align the College’s Organizational Structure, Systems and Processes to Reflect the Diversity of the Communities We Serve

Goal D - Provide Facilities and Technology Platforms to Serve The Needs of All Students

Goal E - Increase Our Visibility and Strengthen the Connection Between the College and Our Local and Regional Community Partners

Strategic Plan Downloadable

Environmental Scan

Equity Lens Tool

The MHCC Board of Directors has approved an Equity Lens Tool that will be used in college decision-making as a tool for examining the impact of race in problem identification, solution development, and success of outcomes. The goal is to be intentionally inclusive in our decision-making process and reflect on how our institutional policies and processes might be inherently biased or racist.

Race and Intersectionality

• Who are the racial/ethnic and underserved groups affected?
• What is the potential impact of the decision, resource allocation, and/or strategic investment to these groups?
• What is the racial makeup of the decision makers?

Challenge the Dominant Culture/Status Quo

• How does the proposed policy, decision, program, and/or practice challenge the way we have addressed the issue in the past?
• What barriers (institutional, structural, intrapersonal, interpersonal) may exist that could hinder implementation?
• Is the college committed to prioritize, publicize, and sustain these efforts?

Commitment to Social Justice

• What is the potential impact on eliminating any existing opportunity or outcome gaps?
• Might the decision being made ignore or worsen existing disparities or produce other unintended consequences? How could these impacts be mitigated?
• How does the policy, decision, program, practice build community capacity and power in communities most affected by inequities?

Including the voices of those most impacted

• Have we solicited and received input from students and others closest to the issue?
• How are we meaningfully including or excluding people who are affected?
• Is there stakeholder support or opposition to the proposal, and if so, why?
• What process will we use to check back in with the stakeholders as part of a feedback loop?

Using Data to Inform

• What baseline data do you have, and how will you utilize quantitative and qualitative data to measure impact on non-dominant groups?
• How will you use data to modify or enhance your strategies to achieve the intended outcomes?

Why do we need an equity lens?

• To ensure we keep race and intersectionality at the center of considerations for our organizational decision-making, policies, practices, and procedures
• To ensure we are effectively and persistently challenging the dominant ideology and status quo of White supremacy
• To establish an institutional commitment to social justice, and do no further harm to historically and contemporaneously marginalized humans and groups
• To center the experiences of students and our communities in service to becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization
• To use data and diverse perspectives as part of the organizational transformation