Janelle C. Williams Melendrez, Southwestern
College
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. April 25, 2008 The
Academic Senate proudly conferred the 2008 Stanback-Stroud
Diversity Award on Janelle C. Williams Melendrez,
a Counselor from Southwestern College, in Chula
Vista, California. Past President Regina Stanback-Stroud
(1993-95) presented Melendrez with the Diversity
Award on April 18, 2008, at the annual Spring
Plenary Session.
I m always very thankful that the
faculty are honoring work done on behalf of our
students, Past President Stanback-Stroud
said at the luncheon honoring Melendrez.
Melendrez has actively tackled issues of diversity
on her campus. She has worked with her campus Speaker
Series Committee to bring prominent speakers
to her college, such as Dr. Cornell West and
Edward James Olmos, to speak about diversity
and cultural competencies. Additionally, Melendrez
has helped create organizations on her campus
such as the African American Alliance, an organization
for employees, students and community members
that focuses on improving students college
experience.
Committing to diversity is the process
of undoing the effects of growing up in an imperfect,
discriminatory society, Melendrez said
in her application letter.
Melendrez has done more than just craft an eloquent
philosophy on diversity; she has put it into
action. When she saw there was a need for African
American students to feel like they had a place
on her campus, Melendrez responded, creating
The Exponential Learning Academy (TELA), a learning
community focused on the African American experience
and university transfer. When she saw morale
issues affecting her colleagues, she created
a conference focused on improving relations for
the campus and community, as well as serving
as an opportunity to enrich student learning
outside of the classroom. This conference, called A
Speaker Series for Global Understanding, was
so successful that 93% of participants indicated
they were very likely to attend
a future conference, and the Interim Superintendent
President adopted the conference as an annual
event.
Basically, I believe in education as
a model for freedom, Melendrez said in
her acceptance speech.
Ultimately, all of Melendrez s actions
to address diversity on her campus are centered
on one of her basic principles in her philosophy
on diversity:
Diversity is not about diminishing differences
by overshadowing it with similarities. It is
about creating active learning environments where
fostering appreciation of both differences and
similarities is paramount.
History
In Spring 1998, the Plenary Body adopted a resolution (3.03 S98) to create
a diversity award to recognize faculty in California community colleges who
work to promote the success of our diverse student population. The Stanback-Stroud
Award was developed to acknowledge the work of faculty making special contributions
in the area of student success for diverse students. Each college may nominate
one faculty member to receive this prestigious honor that includes a cash
award of $500. All faculty, both inside and outside of the classroom, are
eligible for consideration. Four recipients, one from each area of the state,
will be chosen and honored at the Spring Plenary Session.
Each college academic senate
may forward one faculty nominee for the Academic
Senate for California Community Colleges Diversity
Award, sponsored by the Foundation for California
Community Colleges. The following are guidelines
to be used in making the final selection of one
nominee from each of the four Academic Senate
areas (see college directory for designation
of areas).
1. The candidate must have
contributed to the creation of a campus environment
friendly to student of diverse backgrounds and
interests.
2. The candidate must have
demonstrated success in addressing diverse learning
styles.
3. The candidate must demonstrate
assistance to students from underrepresented
groups to encourage their retention and success
in classes as they move toward their goals, whether
they be occupational, transfer, or other.
Criteria
1. Demonstrated sensitivity to diverse learning styles as shown by specific
examples
2. Demonstrated help to students to encourage retention and success in classes
3. Demonstrated help to students to reach their goals, whether they be occupational,
transfer, or other
4. Demonstrated encouragement of students in encouraging them to become part
of campus life and activities
5. Demonstrated sensitivity to create a campus climate and environment friendly
to students of diverse backgrounds and interests
Regina
Stanback-Stroud
The award was named after the past president of the Academic Senate for California
Community Colleges Regina Stanback-Stroud. In her many roles she has originated,
advanced, and implemented many programs and policies that have significantly
increased the ability of the California community colleges to serve the diverse
population of the state, including student equity and affirmative action in
faculty hiring.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. April 25, 2008 The
Academic Senate proudly conferred the 2008 Stanback-Stroud
Diversity Award on Janelle C. Williams Melendrez,
a Counselor from Southwestern College, in Chula
Vista, California. Past President Regina Stanback-Stroud
(1993-95) presented Melendrez with the Diversity
Award on April 18, 2008, at the annual Spring
Plenary Session.