Educators, administrators, policymakers, and researchers gathered virtually this spring for the OCCRL Equity Academy, an event focused on advancing equity-minded practices across education systems. Through interactive discussions, presentations, and a keynote address, participants examined strategies for promoting equity in community colleges, strengthening the K-14 educational pipeline, and fostering institutional change grounded in justice and inclusion.

The academy featured three breakout sessions addressing topics ranging from equitable classroom engagement to anti-racist institutional practice and career and technical education (CTE) equity.

Session 1: The Role of Educators in Building Equity-Minded Classrooms

In the session "The Role of Educators: Dismantling Traditional Systems of Dominance in the Classroom Using Equity-Minded Approaches," Dr. Marci Rockey, OCCRL assistant director for community college relations and research, explored ways educators can foster student engagement through an equity-minded lens.

Participants engaged in candid conversations about how social identities influence interactions with students and discussed approaches for addressing systemic racism, anti-Blackness, and inequities embedded within courses, programs, and institutions.

Rockey highlighted a brief she co-authored with Colvin T. Georges Jr. that examines equity-minded strategies for engaging students in learning.

“I had a few faculty members share their experiences teaching during COVID-19, including reflecting on the importance of being increasingly compassionate educators beyond the pandemic, recognizing the impact of inequitable access to technology, and adjusting assignments to build community and have relevance to students in an online environment,” Rockey said.

The discussion underscored how intentional teaching practices can help create more inclusive learning environments and improve student success.

Session 2: Moving Beyond Statements to Action

During "Moving Beyond the Reactionary: Strategies in Equity and Becoming Anti-Racist in Policy and Practice," OCCRL research assistants Jewel Bourne and Colvin T. Georges Jr. challenged participants to examine what it means to become anti-racist as individuals and as institutions.

Against the backdrop of recent national conversations about race and equity, the presenters emphasized that public statements alone are not enough to close racial equity gaps. Instead, meaningful progress requires sustained action through policies, practices, and accountability measures that create measurable change.

The session encouraged participants to consider how institutions can move beyond symbolic gestures and embed equity consciousness and anti-racist principles into their daily operations.

“Our intention of the session was to engage practitioners in critical dialogue that moves institutions away from reactionary statements after a national incident, statements that claim to support students without actual action,” Bourne said.

Session 3: Advancing Equity Across the K-14 Pipeline

In "Engaging K-12 and Community College Educators in Conversations About Equity," Dr. Osly J. Flores, assistant professor in Educational Administration and Leadership at the University of Illinois, shared lessons from his experience working as an educational specialist with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Drawing on Massachusetts' nationally recognized educational system, Flores discussed equity gaps that persist within career and technical education programs and described efforts to foster equity at both the agency and system levels.

The conversation also highlighted the need to elevate public perceptions of CTE pathways and their potential economic benefits for students.

“We need to have conversations with students and parents about the financial benefit of CTE programs,” Flores said, noting that information about positive student outcomes was actively shared with the public during his time in Massachusetts.

Dr. D-L Stewart Challenges Participants to Rethink Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Justice

The academy's keynote address was delivered by Dr. D-L Stewart, professor in the School of Education at Colorado State University and co-chair of the institution's Student Affairs in Higher Education programs.

Following opening remarks from OCCRL Director Eboni Zamani-Gallaher, who thanked event co-sponsor the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and reflected on the importance of Perkins V reauthorization, Stewart presented "Rethinking the Relationship Among Diversity, Inclusion, & Justice."

His presentation examined the distinctions among diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice, concepts that are often used interchangeably but serve different purposes within organizations and institutions.

Stewart argued that while each concept is important on its own, meaningful transformation occurs when they work together to create systemic and sustainable change.

The keynote prompted thoughtful discussion among participants, who posed questions about topics ranging from engaging individuals who may not see equity issues as relevant to creating safe spaces for difficult but necessary conversations about race, identity, and justice.

Advancing Equity-Minded Program Review in Illinois

According to Rockey, the academy drew 146 registrants representing 20 Illinois community college districts. She said the event successfully advanced conversations around data-driven, equity-minded program review while providing participants with practical strategies for supporting students and strengthening institutional effectiveness.

“He engaged participants in understanding the importance of how we frame questions toward continuous improvement that will advance racial justice,” Rockey said of Stewart's keynote presentation.

The academy highlighted the growing commitment among Illinois community colleges to examine policies, practices, and systems through an equity lens and reinforced the importance of ongoing collaboration across educational sectors.

OCCRL, in partnership with the Illinois Community College Board, will continue these conversations during its Fall Faculty Equity Academy. The event will feature Deborah A. Santiago, CEO of Excelencia in Education, as keynote speaker and will be open to employees from community colleges across Illinois.