To all those within the WA CTC system:

We recognize that every CTC employee's voice has power in making positive changes on behalf of our students. We encourage you to lend your support to advocate on behalf of disenfranchised student populations by increasing faculty diversity by signing this letter individually, through the form link underneath our signature, to show your solidarity.

The Black Support and Solidarity (BSS) Data Team, with the support of the DEI in WA CTCs Collective, requests that acute attention be given to the needs, wants, and demands of Black and other historically underserved student communities as colleges add faculty as part of Senate Bill 5194.

Senate Bill 5194 requires that colleges increase the number of tenure track faculty with the expectation of the increased successful completion of college degrees or certificates among all students but with a firm emphasis on supporting first generation and other historically underserved students.

The BSS also offers these tools to help as you create processes to recruit and retain a diversified, inclusive, equity driven faculty that are representative of our students:

      ● If your campus has “asks” from Black student groups or college caucuses, we encourage you to consider these as part of the criteria for how positions may be allocated at your institution. We also encourage you to consider the 2020-22 WA CTC Research Action Plan to Dismantle Systemic Racism: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12bx76Wuumfs3rS5sn6t2jXQwIhKr2yJq

      ● You are all familiar with DEHPD’s (Diversity and Equity in Hiring and Professional Development) 17 Steps in the Hiring Process: Potential Barriers and Best Practices: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/DiversityEquityHiringandDevelopment_03-21-2019.pdf 
We urge you to review the information found in:
           ○ Step 2: Role of Appointing Authority / Hiring Manager
           ○ Step 3: Interview / Search / Selection Committees
           ○ Steps 14 &15: Employee Onboarding & Retention and Inclusion

      ● You will also find that Oregon State University’s Search Advocate Program has an array of information that will support staff, faculty, and students’ preparation for representation on hiring committees: https://searchadvocate.oregonstate.edu

Thank you,

The Black Support and Solidarity Data Team
  ● Corey Kline, Everett Community College
  ● DeLon Lewis, Everett Community College
  ● Myra Odom-Oby, Everett Community College
  ● Beatriz Rodriguez, Everett Community College
  ● Kaleb Ode, Everett Community College
  ●  Katie Cunnion, Green River College
  ● Amanda Chin, Green River College
  ● Leslie Potter-Henderson, Yakima Valley College
  ● Michael Tuncap, Center for Guided Pathways

With support from the DEI in WA CTCs Collective’s workteams:
● Constellations & Instruction
● Undocumented Students
● Bellas (Antiracist ELA)
● Policy, Research, and Planning

And with the individual support of...

Dani Trimble, Lower Columbia College
Patrick Milian, Green River College
Lynette Crumity, Tacoma Community College
Aaron Leavitt, Green River College
Kirsten Higgins, Green River College
Xyanthe Neider, Whatcom Community College
Sara Keene, Green River College
Heidi Sheneberger, Green River College
Ian S Sherman, Green River College
John Falconer, Green River College, Transitional Studies
James Mendoza, Tacoma Community College
Catherine Thomas, North Seattle College
Vik Bahl, Green River College
Soraya Cardenas, Cascadia College, Sociology Faculty
Corey Kline, Everett Community College
edi@sbctc.edu, SBCTC
Jessica Cain, Everett Community College
Kelsey Barrans, Green River College
Davis Oldham, Shoreline Community College
Jayme Crumpton, Tacoma Community College
Karina Vega-Villa, Wenatchee Valley College
Julie Fitch, Wenatchee Valley College
Ambar Martinez, Community Member