ICCDC President
Dr. Anthony Ramos
Executive Director,
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Elgin Community College
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What drew you to DEI work?
My graduate work in higher education was the foundation for this work, where at Loyola, Professionalism in Service of Social Justice, was the framework within the school of education. My first two professional positions were at Jesuit universities where diversity and social justice were themes connected to positions I held in residence life and academic advising. Additionally, my participation in the ACPA Tools for Social Justice Conference opening my eyes to the significance of this work in higher education and helped me to see that I needed more education to increase my fluency in this work. While working at Loyola I returned to school to complete a second masters, this time in Sociology. Being able to understand sociological theory and apply it to higher education has been critical in my DEI work. When I transitioned to working in community colleges, I took various opportunities to increase my knowledge, skills, and awareness in connecting DEI work in new student programs, academic advising, adjunct faculty support, as well as during my one year as an interim academic division dean. I also entered the classroom as an adjunct in sociology, preparing students to think critically of their social environment bridging DEI perspectives into their lives as students and their hopes and dreams for the future.
We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?
I have broad responsibilities in this inaugural role as the CDO. Several areas of focus include student success initiatives, training and development, employee recruitment and retention, and policy and practice review. Specific to student success I am looking at supporting our student success teams and reviewing data to inform practices as it relates to student recruitment and onboarding, as well as continued success along various metrics while reducing equity gaps.
What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?
Family is my foundation. I try to ensure that there is sufficient time with family to allow us to destress and find time to engage outside of work and school. My other practice in self care is listening to music as a way to connect to a former life as a DJ.
How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?
I’m interested in exploring how we support DEI leaders across the system, recognizing the challenges of the work as well as limited capacity for the magnitude of change that is needed/expected to support living out the mission of community colleges. This may lead to specific data analyzation and strategy development across our institutions, and empowering our collective voice to influence our institutions.
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Vice President/
President Elect
Dr. Purva DeVol
Associate Vice President of
Institutional Advancement
Triton College
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What drew you to DEI work?
I would not have been successful in college and in my career had it not been for the faculty and staff who supported me. I’ve learned that success- whether academic or professional- is dependent largely on the people who invest in you. I was lucky to have a support network of those who believed in me and shaped my journey.
I have strived to serve in the same capacity for others, advocating for equity and inclusion as a student success coach, a student mentor, and a leader of inclusive and equitable plans at two institutions.
We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?
A priority on campus is leading strategic planning on campus, which includes a goal of fostering employee engagement through an equitable and inclusive lens. I’ve led teams of faculty to staff in work that has expanded employee recognition, provided education in equitable and inclusive supervision and student support, and engagement in Heritage Month education and events.
Another priority is focusing on immediate, positive outcomes for students without resources and/or access. I oversee a program that places individuals living in poverty into certificate programs and high wage positions. I also lead the management of grant cycles for nearly 40 grants of the college, nearly all of which are for the support of students outside of the classroom.
What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?
The secret for me is doing what I love for my self-care- for me, that’s walking. I dedicate time each morning and evening to self-care, focusing on my mental and physical well-being. This commitment allows me to be a stronger, healthier advocate for others that I work with, and in my personal life.
How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?
I would like to build on the ICCDC’s successes over the last few years by expanding on the strong relationships with each college. Specifically, I’d like to see the professional development series expanded so that ICCDC is seen more widely as “the hub” for PD in DEI.
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Treasurer
Dr. Yolonda Barnes
Dean of Business & Social Sciences
Harper College
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What drew you to DEI work?
In kindergarten, my teacher was reading Little Black Sambo. I will never forget her words, “look, Sambo is black just like Yolonda” as she turned the book around to show the picture to all the children. It was that day, I discovered I was different from the other children in my classroom. It was that day, I found out I was black. Since then, I have worked hard to bring awareness of DEI (and what macro/micro aggressions and how to deal with them). An example of this was during high school. Each year, I brought awareness to and staged events during Black History Month.
We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?
As the new Dean of Business and Social Sciences at Harper College, my first priority is to get to know my faculty and staff within the division. To help move the DEI needle, I plan to review the data/trends related to educational outcomes and socioeconomic status disaggregated by race and ethnicity. After highlighting the persistence of gaps in educational attainment, I would like to help find resources needed for success and/or remove barriers for students and faculty. I also want to ensure Harper College remains a key pathway for economic opportunity and social mobility for its students. I want to have open dialogues with faculty and staff on improving educational opportunities for all students, especially students of color, and other historically underrepresented groups. Lastly, taking part in community engagement and creating partnerships is important to advancing the work of EDI at Harper and community.
What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?
While I do not have a secret for balancing advocacy and self-care, I know when to take a break and when to make time for myself. Before work, I walk a mile and try to get in some kind of workout. I also schedule my lunch hour on my work calendar and walk 2-3 miles (at least three times a week). Research shows, people who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing. It also gets me through the day!
How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?
My predecessor worked extremely hard as ICCDCs treasurer. It is my hope that I can build on her successes by continuing to be a good steward of the funds.
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Secretary
Mikael Gibson
Adult Admissions Advisor
Blackhawk Community College
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What drew you to DEI work?
I share with people that I feel like I was bred into DEI and advocacy work. My first march on Washington was for the ERA, the second was the 20th anniversary of the MLK march. I spent my childhood at voter registration drives, door-to-door advocacy, and late-night potlucks at homes talking about progress and advocacy that was needed at a local, state, and national level.
We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?
My role is to ensure that adult students have access to college programs, as well as advocate for the resources that they need to be provided on campus. I work to provide leadership in student support services and campus DEI initiatives. I also work to ensure we create outreach relationships throughout all areas of our community.
What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?
Family time, practicing mindfulness techniques, and ensuring relationship building is my first priority.
How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?
As an ICCDC leader, one of my goals is to ensure that we share resources and training resources throughout the state. I hope to create resources that allow DEI practitioners collaboration opportunities that will enhance their work and provide them with professional peer support.
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Past President
Terrance Bond
Assistant to the President,
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Heartland Community College
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What drew you to DEI work?
My children. I began to notice early in their elementary education that issues I experienced in Milwaukee, WI remained a source of concern in Central IL 20+ years later. I want to be a part of the collective that transforms the educational enterprise.
We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?
Heartland CC completed its Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in Spring 2020. My priority is to drive the implementation and institutionalization of our Task Force recommendations. This includes policy and procedure revisions, multicultural training and event planning, and creating data-informed measures to reduce opportunity gaps.
What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?
If I’m being honest, I’m nowhere near finding that balance. My target is unconditional love for self and others. Some days, I do better than others. But when I’m at my best, I’m giving myself grace while listening and offering support as I have the ability.
How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?
I want ICCDC to be a forum for Community College leaders to wrestle with the cultural, financial, historical, and organizational challenges encountered as institutions become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We need spaces to discuss our successes and failures and to develop strategies that help change the narrative on education in Illinois.
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