The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Office of International Education jointly coordinate this collaborative professional development program for faculty and staff.
The SJLC consists of a year-long, project-based curriculum focusing on social justice theory, the institutional structure and organizational decision-making practices of Harper College. Participants are supported through the project development and implementation phases of the program by a SJLC Peer Coach.
The objectives of the program are to
The year-long experience falls roughly into two phases. The first half of the program runs from May through December, and focuses on the conceptual and theoretical framework of what social justice is, can be, and might look like at Harper College. Meetings begin in the summer with the goal of building community and trust among the cohort and constructing a foundation of knowledge in the tents of social justice action. In the fall semester, cohort members focus on Harper College as a collection of organizational units comprised of individuals with different roles and experiences. Through summer and fall, the cohort applies the principles of social justice in the conceptualization and formulation of their projects. Each participant (participants may work in pairs or small groups) are expected to develop a project that positively impacts the strategic directions of diversity, equity and inclusion at Harper College. The first phase culminates in a formal presentation of project proposals to the SJLC Advisory board.
The second half of the program runs from January through May, and focuses on the further development and implementation of the cohort projects. The formal SJLC program ends with the submission of a final Action and Evaluation Plan for each project and a celebration of the cohort’s journeys. The power of the SJLC experience is that many of the projects grow and bear long after the program. Past projects have included professional development workshops on White Fragility and trauma-informed pedagogy, the development of a Social Justice oriented curriculum, research and advocacy for a childcare facility for Harper College students, and the research on the demand and need for an intercultural space for students.
Click here for the 2023-2024 Application
Participants are expected to attend and participate fully in all SJLC programs and activities. Each participant will develop a project that positively impacts the strategic directions of diversity, equity and inclusion at Harper College. The commitment extends from May 2023 through May 2024.
This program will provide participants with the following opportunities:
Questions? Contact Nellie Khalil, Associate Professor of Biology/Director of the Office of International Education, 847-925-6197, nkhalil1@harpercollege.edu OR Brittany Barber, Manager of the Cultural Center, 847-925-6358, bb39149@harpercollege.edu
Social Justice Leadership Cohort 2018-2019
Photograph left to right: Carolann Dunn, Pearl Ratunil, Monica Shirley (Diverse Faculty Fellow), Raeghan Graessle, Deena Ata, Joe Scrima, Esmeralda Guerrero-Lopez, Michael Bentley
Social Justice Leadership Cohort 2019-2020
Left to right: Samantha Schenk (Institutional Research), Pearl Ratunil (Special Assistant
to the President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Andrew Anastasia (English),
Tara Gary (Liberal Arts), Aaron Posey (Advising), Nellie Khalil (Biology). Not pictured:
Michael Magee (Advising)
