South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) prides itself on providing a safe and welcoming environment for all communities on campus to learn and grow to their fullest potential. The college offers the necessary resources and support to enable students to succeed academically. 

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) is a center that helps establish a supportive and welcoming workplace environment in which employees of all backgrounds and demographic characteristics can work together. Located on the second floor of Building 22 at SPSCC, the DEIC has two programs: the IGNITE Program and the Black Scholars program. These programs provide resources and support for underrepresented communities and minorities to succeed in higher education. 

Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson, the Director of the DEIC, explained in an interview: “The Black Scholars program focuses on providing mentorship to Black students to empower them with the support they need to get through college. The DEIC has grown in numbers over the years, with 166 students in Fall 2022 compared to 95 students in Fall 2021.” 

  Students who self-identify as people of color often feel underrepresented and excluded from communities through the media and elsewhere. They may feel alone in their own identity, surrounded by a community of mainly white people, especially in Olympia. The DEIC and its staff provide a safe and supportive space for these students, where they can find understanding, resources, and help to navigate college.

Lauren, a member of the IGNITE Program, explained that IGNITE helps students whose identities have historically faced systemic barriers in higher education. They offer community and support services to help students graduate from college. IGNITE provides students in underrepresented communities with resources such as scholarships, books, and funds if needed. They also offer peer mentorship and workshops to help students gain a sense of community. There, students have access to different services provided by the DEIC. Some go to get support for feeling supported within their skin and to meet other people who relate to their struggle with identity. Others get community support by getting loaner computers or peer mentorship when they are struggling with their grades. The DEIC also offers news about local events, particularly Black History Month. They send out emails with resources on the history and context of Black History Month, post events on the calendar, and host community events like the Brown Bag community event, which encourages conversation about underrepresented and silent communities. The DEIC also holds monthly forums at the beginning and end of each quarter, which are open to both of their programs, providing a safe space for students to talk openly about their thoughts. These forums are mainly focused on transfer degrees and what students would want to expand into the workforce. 

Having a safe space within the community and access to resources is crucial for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students. Equity is about providing the same opportunities for everyone to succeed, regardless of their background or identity. The DEIC’s support and resources provide students with opportunities to succeed in whichever way they want, making Black History Month all the more meaningful. Raising awareness about such support systems is crucial, as they help shape people’s lives. 

Here, in Olympia, having safe spaces for people of color to feel comfortable within their own identity is more important than ever. The DEIC stands for equity around the community and strives to make a difference in people’s lives.