2020 MLK Distinguished Service Award

MLK awards covering every BaCE

By C. Brandon Chapman – College of Education

A professional development plan at Washington State University Vancouver is a recipient of this year’s MLK Distinguished Service Award in the Advancement in Diversity category.

The program is called “Building a Community of Equity”, or just called BaCE for short.

It’s professional development meant for administrators, faculty, and staff and is to better help them to, through skill building, self-reflection, and other frameworks, better align with and advocate for equity throughout the campus community.

These issues include things like ensuring equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students, creating capacity to work toward equity in all campus endeavors, and having safe and welcoming environments for all, be it student or employee.

This aligns with WSU Vancouver’s Strategic Plan, Goal 4, of promoting an ethical and socially just society through an intentional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The College of Education’s Shameem Rakha was instrumental in the inception of the program, as was WSU Vancouver’s Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Renny Christopher.

Right now, Obie Ford III, WSU V’s Associate Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is coordinating and directing the program.

Because the event was held in Pullman, without any BaCE representation on site, the award was ceremoniously accepted by Jamie Nolan, WSU’s Associate Vice President for Community, Equity, & Inclusive Excellence.

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