Palomar College has adopted an action plan to support our African-American/Black community and to further Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the District. These action items were developed collaboratively with Palomar students, staff, and faculty and with input from our Umoja Scholars. We are committed to these measurable Calls to Action and will work diligently to implement them as we develop a culture of Antiracism at Palomar.
The information provided below shows the annual progress Palomar College is making on the goal of building an antiracist framework. This work is collaborative and involves staff, faculty, and students with the ultimate goal of furthering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the District.
Progress Dashboard
Racial Equity for Police Reform50%
Space for African American/Black Students50%
Hiring of Black/African Americans25%
Hiring Diverse Faculty25%
Audit Classroom Climate50%
Professional Development Training100%
African American/Black Employee Protections10%
Civic Engagement63%
African American/Black Graduation100%
EDI Action Group100%
View All Updates
Palomar College Pride Center Condemns Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in Texas, Florida, and Elsewhere.
On March 30 of this year, the journal Inside Higher Education reported that, to date, there have been a record 238 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country since January 1. These include the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28 and Texas Governor... Read more »
Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution- Recommendations for Palomar College
In Fall 2021 a book club was formed called “Becoming Hispanic Serving Institutions”, this group was facilitated by Cynthia Cordova, Eduardo Aguilar, and Dr. Hossna Sadat-Ahadi. The purpose of the book club was to “examine our college HSI identity and learn how to support Latinx students, while celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Meetings included learning about... Read more »
Celebrating Undocumented Students during the week of action: October 18-22, 2021
Join the Undocumented Student Support team in creating awareness and support of Palomar College undocumented students. Multiple state wide webinars Statewide Webinars are available through the chancellors office website. In addition events sponsored by Palomar College will take place throughout the week of October 18-22, 2021. Please see the below flyers or visit our website at... Read more »
Disability Awareness Month: October
October is National Disability Awareness Month in the United States. Palomar College Disability Resource Center (DRC) https://www2.palomar.edu/pages/drc/ is hosting events to create awareness and recognize the value of our diverse workforce and the role and contribution of disability in society. Please click on their flyer here: October Disability Awareness Events Calendar 2021
Campus Police Department Update
Complete Initiatives On January 28, 2022, Chief Moore participated in the campus wide Social Justice Convening. On February 16, 2022, the Campus Police Committee held its first meeting of the semester with members of faculty and staff. A vacancy for a police officer position was recently filled by an individual who speaks Spanish fluently and... Read more »
Palomar College Police Academy Update
Activity Update May 2021 The Academy developed and introduced more verbal communication skills into its curriculum that go far beyond the mandates of our state accrediting agency (POST). Including overview and response to cultural diversity, anti-racism & anti-discrimination Providing the student with a more in-depth examination of Socio-economic groups Implementing specific training in responding to... Read more »
Campus Police Department Update
October 2020 – January 2021 Activities The Department’s Use of Force policy is available on the Department website. A commendation/complaint online form is available on the Department website. Department employees completed the U.S. Department of Justice Safe Policing and Safe Communities Certification to gain eligibility for Department of Justice grants. The Department started California Department... Read more »
Patricia Sinay- California Independent Redistricting Commissioner engages Palomar College Students
On March 4, 2021, Patricia Sinay addressed student, staff, faculty and the community in a discussion regarding redistricting and the difference between empowering and maximizing voters voices and how redistricting directly impacts equity outcomes in the state. Redistricting101
Foundation Board of Directors engage in Palomar’s antiracist framework
Dr. Jack Kahn and Dr. Hossna Sadat Ahadi delivered a vibrant presentation on Palomar’s Antiracist Framework at the February 22, 2021, Foundation Board of Directors meeting. The Foundation Board members were eagerly engaged in the discussion. The conversation will continue as the Foundation works to identify and adopt avenues to engage in Palomar’s antiracist framework.PC... Read more »
Palomar College Asian Pacific Alliance in Higher Education (APAHE) vehemently rejects these ignorant and hateful acts of violence against the API community.
APAHE Statement 2/22/2021 Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our nation has seen an increase in hate crimes against our Asian Pacific Islander (API) community. In 2020, the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center documented 2,808 hate incidents in the United States, and now Asian American elderly are the most recent victims. The Palomar Community... Read more »
Phi Theta Kappa Antiracism Student College Project
On December 4, 2020, Palomar College students led a Phi Theta Kappa Antiracism Student College Project. Over 100+ students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members attended this empowering and liberating racial healing event. https://vimeo.com/481006204/6b42ce292e
Equity Teaching Practices & Resources at Palomar College
Senate President Rocco Versaci shared the following about the hard work of Alex Doyle Bauer and Hossna Sadat Ahadi, as well as the many contributions from our faculty, the “Equity Teaching Practices & Resources” page is now up and running. It is a collection of teaching assignments, presentations, readings, resources, and recommended media that support... Read more »
ESL Department joins the Palomar community in a statement of solidarity.
The ESL Department at Palomar College supports and stands in solidarity with our BILPOC (Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and People of Color) students and colleagues and Palomar College’s Call to Action, as well as contemporary movements fighting systemic racism, discrimination, and injustice. In the ESL Department at Palomar, our students, teachers, and staff come from all... Read more »
EDI Advisory Team provide update to the Board of Trustees
President Kahn and the EDI Advisory team presented to the Board of Trustees a summary of work being done at Palomar College toward building an Antiracist culture. Please see the attached presentation. EDI Presentation You may also watch the presentation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTaPVjx9gWo
Women in Architecture Q &A
Palomar College Architectural Department proudly presents a virtual Q & A lecture from Women in the Architecture industry. Join us on December 4th from 2-4 pm, see flyer for zoom details. Women in Architecture Q &A
TRANS DAY of Remembrance sponsored by PC3H
Please join the PC3H in remembering and recognizing the lost lives of those in our transgender community on November 19th at 3 pm. Please sign up on the provided link: Trans Day of Remembrance
Addressing equity and antiracism through the Decolonization of your Syllabus
This November at the ASCCC our colleagues Hossna Sadat Ahadi and Luis Guerrero present “Decolonizing Your Syllabus, an Anti-Racist Guide for Your College” Congratulations on this great work and for representing Palomar College https://asccc.org/publications/rostrum
Palomar College Pride Center expresses solidarity with BLM
Pride Center Solidarity Statement with BLM “In a racist society, it is not enough not to be racist. It is necessary to be anti-racist.” – Angela Davis Palomar College’s Pride Center has been a source of support and community for marginalized people since its inception in 2010. The Center was born out of a community... Read more »
Palomar College Library provides resources for Undocumented Students
The Palomar College Library has created the Undocumented Student Library guide https://palomar.libguides.com/c.php?g=1090945&p=7956042 page online. Students, staff, faculty, leaders, and community members at Palomar College can access virtual resources on this page related to Undocumented Students. Please contact Natalie Lopez at nlopez@palomar.edu and Leslie Salas at lsalas@palomar.edu to request additional resources to be uploaded.
Palomar College Library provides resources for LGBTQIA+ community.
The Palomar College Library has created the pride guide page https://palomar.libguides.com/PRIDEGuide online in partnership with the Pride Center on campus. Students, staff, faculty, leaders, and community members at Palomar College can access virtual resources on this page related to LGBTQIA+ community. If anyone would like to share resources to be uploaded onto the page, we... Read more »
Antiracism Student College Project: Presented by Phi Theta Kappa
Palomar College Phi Theta Kappa will be presenting their Antiracism Student College Project. The event will be held on Friday 12/4/2020 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.virtually online. Palomar College students will share their experiences with racism and the importance of eradicating racism in our communities and the education system. PTK Antiracism
Faculty Senate endorses AntiRacism at Palomar College
On Monday, October 26th, the Palomar College Faculty Senate endorsed an antiracism statement, showing their continued commitment in support of students, faculty, staff, and the Palomar community. See the statement here https://www2.palomar.edu/pages/facultysenate/
Latinx Healing Forum
The Association of Latinos and Allies for Student Success (ALASS) is hosting a Latinx Healing Forum to explore the Latinx experience on Friday, October 16 from noon to 2:00 p.m. via zoom. Please share it ALASS Oct Healing Forum with our students! Palomar employees and community members are welcome as well. The registration link is... Read more »
A Proud LGBTQ Voting Event- WATCH NOW!
Please watch: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/rec/share/t-UOj8TGQ8ovBod2jEUhxJjafU5tCe46GvKlp1vl9MBwlOP4OxPHxiulnYYkWs4.wxMtKtu3RmlvrmSo?startTime=1601589629000
Library Statement on Antiracism
The Palomar College Library staff and faculty stand in solidarity in condemning violence and racism toward Black people, Latinx people, Indigenous people, and all People of Color! We declare that there is no room for racism or Xenophobia in our community. We take responsibility for challenging racial inequity and implementing positive change in the Library. As... Read more »
A proud LGBTQ voting event!
The Palomar Pride center is hosting an event to discuss the importance of voting and LGBTQ-friendly candidates. Allies are welcome! Please register here.
Palomar College is officially on the CA Ballot Bowl leader board!
Palomar College is officially on the CA Ballot Bowl leader board amongst all other CA Community Colleges for registering students to vote with a total of 102. Please see link: https://caballotbowl.sos.ca.gov/. The Student Life and Leadership team has been sending out numerous emails, social media posts and encouraging students to register to vote. The deadline to... Read more »
Sociology Department Offers Another Powerful Voice of Solidarity!
The Sociology discipline of Palomar College stands in solidarity with our Black students and colleagues. Sociology offers a critical lens through which we analyze and shine a light on forms of inequality and oppression within the Black community and all communities of color widely. We see our role as professors as providing an opportunity to... Read more »
Palomar’s ESL program named as a leader by California Acceleration Project
Our credit ESL program was featured in the California Acceleration Project publication CAPacity Gazette July issue pages 14-15, “Palomar Leads in AB 705 Implementation for English Language Learners” Go ESL this is such important equity work for ESL learners.
Overview of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Items
Hey folks! This video summarizes our 20-21 action items- check it out!
English Department Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Thew English department has provided this powerful narrative in support of our Antiracist efforts. Thank you so much for these words! — English Department Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion In response to ongoing societal inequities based on race and the deaths of individuals like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Daniel Prude (to... Read more »
Child Development Department Shares Strong Solidarity Statement
The Child Development Department at Palomar College supports our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students and colleagues and stands in solidarity with contemporary movements in raising awareness of widespread systemic racism and discrimination, as well as the Call to Action for Palomar College. As faculty and staff in the CHDV Department, we commit to continuing to... Read more »
Integrating Tribal Nation Voices in Early Childhood Education
Associate Dean Roe has provided a letter of support from Palomar College to a project Brandman University is proposing entitled, “Integrating Tribal Nation Voices into California’s ECE Lead Teacher Preparation Pathway: A Template for Systemic Change”. The letter emphasizes that “Palomar College supports the development of a Tribal Curriculum Framework, which has great potential to... Read more »
Guided Discussion With Pride!
This Thursday the Pride Center is hosting its first Guided Discussion, Queers Coping with Covid. This session will be co-hosted by Dr Patrick Savaiano of Behavioral Health Services and Dr. Mark Raymundo, PC3H member and faculty in Chemistry. Are you worried about Covid? Stressed about the Covid-induced online learning? Faculty, staff, and students come together... Read more »
First Regional Police Academy meeting scheduled!
The first regional meeting of police academies from: Imperial Valley, Miramar, Palomar, Southwestern, and Grossmont has been scheduled. The Goal: To align our region’s Police Academies to enhance POST-mandated cultural diversity training with respect to experiential learning opportunities. Updates coming soon!
Powerful Plenary video kicks off Plenary & Antiracist Action at Palomar College
By Jack KahnAugust 27, 2020African American/Black Employee Protections, Audit Classroom Climate, General Information, Hiring Diverse Faculty, Hiring of Black/African Americans, Professional Development Training, Racial Equity for Police Reform, Solidarity Statements
A powerful video created by faculty, staff and the good folks at PCTV was aired at this year’s fall plenary. The video documents faculty and staff of color’s expereinces with racism and privilege. The video is courageous, inspirational, and honest and was overwhelmingly lauded by community members. In a recent email Trustee Evilsizer was kind enough... Read more »
Palomar College represents at San Diego Chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges
Attached you will find the printed newsletter from San Diego Chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges. You may notice some great representatives from Palomar College! Congratulations to Dr Hossna Sadat Ahadi and all of the inspirational women at Palomar College.
Student Success and Retention Institute
Regional Strong Workforce funds were allocated to Palomar College to offer a Student Success and Retention Institute that supported 21 faculty from across several CTE and non-CTE disciplines. The Institute began in February 2020 with an all-day conference at the Sheraton by the airport hosting over 250 faculty from throughout the San Diego region. At... Read more »
Counseling Department Releases Testimonial in Support of Black Lives Matter
The Counseling Department has released this encouraging Testimonial in support of Black Lives matter. Thank you so much for supporting this effort! The faculty and staff in the Counseling Division at Palomar College stand against racism and discrimination. We support the efforts of Black Lives Matter in bringing awareness to police brutality and we will... Read more »
Umoja & Puente Provide Testimonials for Black Lives Matter
Student groups Umoja and Puente have provided these supportive statements for Black Lives Matter. Thank you so much to the students and faculty leadership for these organizations! Dear Palomar Community, The Umoja Program at Palomar recognizes that this moment of pain, in which we yet again mourn Black deaths, is just one moment in a... Read more »
Library & Information Technology Program Shares Black Lives Matter Testimonial
Our Library program has provided this strong testimonial in support of Black Lives Matter. Much thanks to our colleagues who wrote this and shared it with the campus. The faculty of the Library & Information Technology (LIT) stand in solidarity with Black, Latinx, Indigenous and People of Color and condemn violence and racism towards them!... Read more »
American Indian Studies Program Provides Powerful Testimonial
Our American Indian Studies program has provided this powerful testimonial in support of Black Lives Matter. A huge thanks to our colleagues who wrote this and shared it with the campus. As faculty and staff of the American Indian Studies department of Palomar College, we condemn the state and police violence against our Black relatives.... Read more »
Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association Up and Running!
Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association is up and running. Our mission is to provide a place of solitude to further the work and interests of Black faculty, staff, and students at Palomar College. We will have a website soon, but for now you can contact Amber Colbert at acolbert@palomar.edu.
Phi Theta Kappa Takes on Equity project
PTK is involved in a research action project in supporting equity and elevating antiracism efforts at Palomar College and in the North County community. Everyone is welcome to join!
Transitions Summer Program – Doing Equity Work
On Friday, Aug. 14, more than a dozen students (15 in all) around San Diego County opened their computers and logged into a unique celebration, held on Zoom, to mark the completion of the first Transitions summer session provided over the internet. The program helps previously incarcerated individuals adjust to a college campus and successfully begin... Read more »
Empowered Women Projects at Palomar this Fall
This August 2020, the Empowered Women channel launched on Microsoft Teams. Around November 2020, no date confirmed yet, Palomar College will be hosting a virtual event for the American Association for Women in Community College, San Diego Chapter. If you would like to join the Empowered Women channel, please join the Equity and Inclusion Teams.... Read more »
Plenary 2020 Dedicated to Antiracism Work & Action
The Palomar College Fall 2020 plenary event was designed with a strong focus on two areas, online teaching and institutionalizing antiracism. For our first day of plenary, several of our Palomar employees volunteered their time to lead valuable workshops to help Palomar College institutionalize antiracism, which included the following workshops: “Combating Racism: How you can... Read more »
Governance Task Force Pauses for Equity Input
Recently, Lawrence Lawson stepped down from his role as co-chair of the governance task force. In summary, he did so to make room for staff and faculty who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color (BIPOC) to weigh in on the last crucial steps of this project. We have worked with Dr. Hossna Sadat Ahadi and... Read more »
Library Creates New Library Guides
Alexandra Doyle Bauer and Monica Diego at Palomar College created a Black Lives Matter and Asian Pacific Islander resource guide for the library. Thank you for your leadership towards racial equity at Palomar College! The BLM resource guide is here and the API guide can be found here.
Palomar College Pronoun Project
Our Palomar Pride Center and colleagues have put together a really wonderful pronoun guide to share with campus. Pronouns are an important part of gender identity and a way for people to show respect for people and their gender. Traditionally male pronouns are he/him/his, traditionally female pronouns are she/her/hers. But there are other options for... Read more »
Africana Studies for Staff, Faculty, and Admin at Palomar College
We wanted to encourage everyone (faculty, staff, admin) to enroll in the Africana Studies 101 class this fall being offered by Drs Rafiki Jenkins and Martin Japtok. More information can be found here. If you have trouble enrolling, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help!
Posters for Inclusion Project
MATCH in collaboration with the counseling department has created the ‘Student Edification Project’. You will soon see in many classrooms’ posters that validate, engage, and give students a sense of belonging to succeed in our classes. We want to encourage students to persevere in our classes, and by attending to their affective domain we will... Read more »
White Allies for Antiracism at Palomar College
White Allies for Antiracism at Palomar College A new group has formed at Palomar College over the summer to support antiracist efforts. This group is open to and inclusive of all employees of Palomar College. This group’s focus is listening, learning, collaborating, and acting in support of BIPOC colleagues at Palomar College. The group’s first... Read more »
Vigils Held For Black Lives Matter & Asian Pacific Islander Community
This summer Palomar College held a Black Lives Matter Vigil, two Equity forums and healing circles and a region X forum to support Black Indigenous and People Of Color. Please sty tuned for additional forums as they occur throughout the year!
Palomar College Joins USC Equity Alliance
Palomar College is very excited about this opportunity. Being a part of this alliance will mean a sustained year-long professional development program. Each month we will get to send 5 people to the monthly e-convening where they will spend 3 hours in a deep dive of the content and the final hour will be spent... Read more »
Decolonizing Syllabi & Institutionalizing at Palomar College
Drs. Hossna Sadat and Luis Guerrero are presenting at this years plenary on methods to decolonize ones syllabus to make it within the antiracist framework. They will be working with campus groups this year to determine if this can be an institutionally adopted practice. More information to come!
NACCC Survey Data Update
The National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates (NACCC) is an annual campus climate survey administered by the Race and Equity Center at USC to students at colleges and universities nationwide. Administration of the survey was introduced to the campus community at Spring Plenary in January 2019. This was followed by a faculty and student memo... Read more »
Required Antiracist Question(s) For Administrators and Staff & Next Steps
The administrators and classified staff have adopted a policy to require all interviews for admin and staff to require an antiracist question pre-interview to assess new applicants dedication to antiracism. In addition, administrators have met over the summer to create a draft plan to share with the Strategic Planning council to agree upon a shared goal,... Read more »
Prop-M Proposal Includes Recommendation for Student Spaces
This summer Dr Kahn presented a Prop-M proposal to the board for a Guided Pathways success project that would include a Welcome Center & Retention center. The Retention center is described as a place where student organizations could find a permanent home (Umoja, Puente, Undocumented student space etc). More information to come!
PCTV to Document Antiracist Actions at Palomar College
PCTV Antiracist Video Project As we continue to build an antiracist culture at Palomar College, we want to capture the incredible work, impactful testimonials, and active collaboration that is going on all over our College. To do so, our award winning PCTV crew will be producing a documentary on our progress, challenges, and achievements. First,... Read more »
Summer 2020 Updates For The Police Academy
Please see the Police Academy Diversity statement for more detail as to work that has been done on these issues through the years . Summer Updates Include: Palomar College Police Academy has banned all forms of training on the use of the carotid restraint (choke hold). A decision accepted, received, and supported by executive and... Read more »
Racial Equity for Police Reform
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #1 Objective: Improve and include race-conscious and race-based training for current Palomar police department officers and students in public safety programs.
Space for African American/Black Students
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #2 Objective: Identify a designated space for African American/Black students at Palomar College (mirroring the Pride and Veterans Center).
Hiring of Black/African Americans
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #3 Objective: Hiring more faculty, staff, administrators who are African American/Black.
Hiring Diverse Faculty
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #4 Objective: Hiring full-time faculty for Africana Studies who are authentically engaged in Black consciousness.
Audit Classroom Climate
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #5 Objective: Audit classroom climate. Create action plans to implement inclusive classroom and equity-minded teaching.
Professional Development Training
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #6 Objective: Provide professional development training specifically addressing support for our African American/Black students and promoting antiracism in curriculum and teaching to ensure action is taking place.
African American/Black Employee Protections
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #7 Objective: Ensure African American/Black employees are protected contractually and are included in decision-making processes.
Get Out the Vote
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #8 Objective: Host get out the vote campaign and contextualize the history of voting rights.
African American/Black Graduation
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #9 Objective: Have celebratory graduation for African American/Black students on campus.
Equity Diversity & Inclusion Action Group
Educators for Antiracism Call to Action #10 Objective: Establish an action group that works towards institutionalizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Palomar College.
