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.

To ensure Keene State’s commitment to fostering a respectful and safe environment for all members of the campus community, the Title IX office coordinates the College’s response to incidents of sexual assault, gender-based harassment, and dating or domestic violence to ensure compliance with federal law and state statutes, while helping to ensure fair, equitable, and prompt grievance procedures.

The Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness supports Keene State’s principles of equal opportunity, just treatment, and respect for all people. We hold these principles not only because we believe they are good and right, but also because we believe that people who understand and hold these values are more effective and productive citizens and problem solvers. More about Campus Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness

Among KSC’s student organizations, 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.

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.

Common Ground Multicultural Club

The Common Ground Multicultural Club provides a forum for students interested in topics related to diversity and multiculturalism to get together, provide support to one another, and organize social and educational events.

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.

KSC Pride

KSC Pride is Keene State’s own gay/straight alliance that offers programming, resources, and support for people of the LGBT/GSRM community and their allies. All students are welcome!

Office of Multicultural Student Support

The Office of Multicultural Student Support (OMSS) 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/transgender students, low income, etc.).

Preferred First Names

Keene State College recognizes that some people use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. In August 2015, Keene State College launched the pilot phase of allowing transgender students and other students to indicate their preferred first name regardless of whether they have legally changed their name.

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.

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