College of Marin Recognized With Dr. John W. Rice Diversity & Equity Award

The Dr. John W. Rice Awards were established in 2001. Dr. John W. Rice, one of the most influential board members, served on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors from 1992 until his death in 2000. While on the board, he displayed a strong commitment to multicultural learning experiences and was a strong advocate for all students. He believed higher education was the greatest equalizer. The award was established in 2001 to honor community college staff members, districts, colleges, or programs that have made the greatest contribution towards faculty, staff, and student diversity and equity.  Dr. Rice is the father of Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state and Stanford professor.

College of Marin is being recognized for the greatest improvement in three areas over the most recent three years: improvement in completion and transfer outcomes of our students of color relative to white students as well as improvement of the representation of faculty of color relative to our student population.  Not bad given there are now 116 colleges in the system!

It’s difficult to point to just one or two strategies which have moved the needle on student outcomes since they have been building on the equity agenda in earnest since 2012.  However, programs and initiatives like College of Marin Providing Access and Supporting Success (COMPASS), Summer Bridge, Humanities 101, Learning Communities, and Summer Career Academies most certainly contributed to improving outcomes and moving the equity needle!  Central to these collaborative programs and initiatives is our K-12 and community partners, and funders.

COM would like to invite you to join them for the award ceremony on September 30, at 1:45 p.m.  The ceremony will be livestreamed via YouTube.  The invitation is attached for your consideration.