For the seventh time, Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) has been recognized nationally for its welcoming, inclusive and supportive workplace and learning environment.

The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and "Diverse: Issues In Higher Education" have named MCCC as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges across the country. With a focus on workplace diversity, staffing practices and work environment, the NISOD and Diverse research team uses a web-based survey approach to examine categories such as family friendliness, salary/benefits and professional development opportunities, among others, in its selection process.

MCCC was one of only 20 community and technical colleges in the United States selected for this highly regarded award.

“At Montgomery County Community College, our deep commitment to equity, diversity and belonging is engrained in every aspect of our policies, practices and daily work,” said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President. “Receiving this national recognition for the seventh time demonstrates who we are as an institution – one with an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected through the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, administrators and Board of Trustees.”

MCCC’s dedication to fostering equity and belonging is evident through all aspects of the College’s planning and implementation, especially with the intentional development of its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Montco for All – Building Our Future Together.” Throughout the plan, equity is elevated as a key value and incorporated into all of the components, including to ensure student learning, enhance the employee experience and expand community participation.

While creating the Strategic Plan, MCCC revised and expanded its Equity Statement, which highlights MCCC’s commitment “to ensure all students, employees and community members are successful by the intentional design of college experiences and celebrates the intersection of race, ethnicity, gender identity, language, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, economic status, and/or religion in its community.”

In 2021, MCCC was one of 10 colleges in the country selected to participate in the Achieving the Dream and the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center Racial Equity Leadership Academy (RELA). Through participation in RELA, the College has developed and  employed a standard syllabus template that is rooted in equity and accessibility for all students.

In 2022, MCCC welcomed two new members to lead its ongoing commitment. Dr. Stephanie R. Allen was named the new Director of Equity, Diversity and Belonging, and Yamilet Reyes was hired as the Program Coordinator of Equity, Diversity and Belonging. They have been leading several initiatives, including safe space training sessions, the Presidential Symposium on Diversity and the President’s Advisory Council on Equity and Social Justice, which Dr. Allen chairs.

The President’s Advisory Council on Equity and Social Justice is comprised of students, faculty, administrators, staff  and community members, who contribute to and provide oversight and coordination for equity, diversity and belonging for college-wide programming.

The annual Presidential Symposium on Diversity was expanded this year into a three-day event called “Inspire Beyond Inclusion,” which engaged over 400 students, employees, trustees and community members. It encompassed a keynote presentation by award-winning author, activist and educator Lorene Cary; a student short contest, student-moderated book discussion with Ms. Cary about her memoir, “Black Ice;” faculty-led workshops; and a community service project to collect items for MCCC’s Stock Up for Success food pantries.

In addition to the Symposium, MCCC hosts other programs and events throughout the year, including the Richard K. Bennett Distinguished Lectureship – Racism in America Series, Lively Arts Series performances and art exhibitions.

MCCC also offers a Faculty Diversity Fellowship program, a one-year program that provides each faculty fellow with opportunities for teaching or non-teaching opportunities for advisors and librarians, and student engagement, peer mentoring and professional development as educators and scholars.

In addition to MCCC, other colleges honored include Austin Community College, Bergen Community College, Blinn College, Broward College, Community College of Allegheny County, Garden City Community College, Harrisburg Area Community College, Hudson County Community College, Joliet Junior College, Lorain County Community College, Malcolm X College (City Colleges of Chicago), McLennan Community College, National Park College, Nicolet College, Northeast Lakeview College, Nunez Community College, Olive-Harvey College, Pellissippi State Community College and San Antonio College.

Honorable mentions include Houston Community College, Maricopa Community College, Gateway Community College, and College of the Mainland.

NISOD is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. Since 1984, “Diverse: Issues In Higher Education” has been the nation’s premier publication covering the issues about underrepresented minorities in American higher education.