Diversity & Multiculturalism

The Diversity and Multiculturalism Office provides institutional leadership of diversity initiatives; policy and practice development; programming; recruitment and retention efforts of underrepresented faculty, staff, and students; and creation of a strategic inclusive excellence plan for the campus. The Chief Officer for Diversity and Multiculturalism is available for consultation on a wide range of issues associated with diversity, multiculturalism and social justice.

Keene State College (KSC) is engaged in an effort to build a community that reflects the diversity of society. Human Resources (HR) helps KSC meet that effort by supporting recruitment efforts for qualified faculty and staff as an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. HR also has a responsibility to all employees – including students - for ensuring a workplace free of harassment and discriminatory harassment and serves as an intake office for concerns of that nature.

After careful consideration, the members of the Campus Commission on the Status of Women and the Campus Commission on Diversity and Multiculturalism have decided to join forces. In a time of shrinking resources coupled with an abundance of important work to accomplish, the maintenance of two commissions is unwieldy. In an effort to leverage limited resources and significant talents of the campus community, the merger of these groups makes sense from both human and financial resource perspectives. The new body, the Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness embodies the spirit and intent of both groups. The Commission will sustain the previous work of both and create new initiatives that align with the Strategic Planning goals related to Inclusive Excellence. More about Campus Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness

Aspire Program

Aspire provides students with a wide range of academic services designed to enhance success. The program works with students to improve their academic performance in classes, and increase the likelihood that first-generation college students, income-eligible students, and students with documented disabilities will graduate.

Cheshire Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL)

Keene State College’s Institute for Learning in Retirement is the Cheshire Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL). CALL is an educational program aimed at adults ages 55 and older. Classes cover a wide range of liberal arts topics at very low cost to participants.

Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services coordinates reasonable accommodations and provides services to students with disabilities to ensure that all activities and programs are accessible. ODS works to promote disability awareness through outreach and education to the campus and the community. Through partnerships with students, faculty and staff, ODS strives to develop the independence and self-advocacy skills of students while supporting the learning experience through a network of campus resources.

Global Education Office (GEO)

KSC's Global Education Office is the campus hub for academic study-away experiences and international student support. GEO is involved in supporting campus internationalization, including faculty-led international courses and programs.

Multicultural Student Affairs Office

The Multicultural Student Affairs Office works with students by providing support, mentoring, advocacy, outreach, referral sources and diversity and multicultural related programming to enhance the academic and personal success of all students, but specifically underrepresented students (racial minorities, international students, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered students, low income, etc.).

Veterans Student Support Services

Keene State College’s Veteran Support Services (VSS) implements and coordinates academic and social support programs that enable KSC veteran students to gain the greatest benefit from their educational experience.

Among many organizations available for student participation and enrichment, many (including Active Minds, Common Ground, Delta Xi Phi multicultural sorority, Fair Trade Club, Feminist Collective, Global Culture Club, Interfaith Voices, KSC Pride, Newman Student Organization) specifically seek to engage students around issues of diversity in sex and gender, ability, race, ethnicity, class, orientation, and religion.

Dottie Morris
Chief Officer of Diversity and Multiculturalism
Email: dmorris@keene.edu
Phone: 603-358-2206
Hale Building 103A
Mailstop: M-1501