The Student Development Diversity Committee: consists of Iona College professionals who provide programs, discussions, workshops and other activities in order to enhance a diversity-positive environment at Iona College. The Committee partners with faculty and with student groups and organizations in order to offer initiatives that encourage inter-cultural dialogue and that insures that the diverse voices of Iona students are heard. The Committee engages students in topics that are of particular interest to them, and it has facilitated programs in which students were invited to speak about such issues as: race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual identity, offensive language and symbols, and students with disabilities. The Committee also participates in creating the summer orientation program for all entering students, highlighting the importance of respect for all and community membership. All students are welcome to become a part of the Diversity Committee and/or to offer suggestions for programs or other initiatives that would further enhance diversity at the College.

Statement of Mission

The Student Development Diversity Committee regards diversity as an asset and honors the myriad cultures, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, traditions and other differences among students that enrich the Iona College community. Its Mission is to support and enhance a welcoming, safe and vibrant diversity-positive campus environment for all students at Iona College

The Committee will realize its Mission by setting and implementing the following goals:

• To conduct ongoing assessment of campus climate, student perceptions and needs, and College practices related to diversity
• To train student paraprofessionals, student service providers and other campus professionals at the College with regard to awareness, knowledge and skills related to diversity
• To offer programs related to all aspects of diversity, for example, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age, and disability, for all members of the Iona community
• To promote inter-group dialogue among diverse student cohorts
• To advocate on behalf of marginalized and under-served cohorts with regard to access to resources, accommodations and other considerations
• To educate the larger campus community about the psychological, social, academic, cultural, and spiritual needs of a diverse student population
• To collaborate with student organizations, faculty, staff and other administrators to create a diversity-positive environment
• To assist the College in recruiting and retaining a diverse community of students, faculty, administrators and staff

Sponsored/Co-Sponsored Programs:

• A Conversation About Arizona's Immigration Law
  This was a program structured as a student panel discussion on the recent debate between state and federal officials about Arizona's law against illegal immigration
• Patchwork of Support
  This was a program, co-sponsored by the Iona in Mission office, to encourage students to express their respect and affections towards one another in the Iona College community by creating personal murals.
• "Ground Zero: ZERO Tolerance? A Conversation About the Islamic Cultural Center."
  This was a student panel discussion that was designed to help students express their concerns on the recent controversy surrounding the Islamic Cultural Center in New York.
• Don't Ask Don't Tell: A Student Panel Discussion on Gays in the U.S. Military
  Co-sponsored by the Gay/Straight Alliance, this student panel discussion was geared towards understanding the recent repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy in the U.S. Senate.
• King's Dream: A Reflection on the History of Civil Rights
  This program mixed entertainment and reflection as we celebrated Black History Month here at Iona College. Sponsored, in part, by the Council of Multi-Cultural Leadership, many students and faculty/administration came out to support.

Contact - SDDC Co-Chairs:
Deb Waller-Frederick - Assistant Director, Office of Student Development
Jasmine Smalls - Residence Hall Director, Residential Life