Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles are integral to the College’s mission, vision, and shared values, and how we support our employees and students.

Click below to learn more:

Strategic Plan (supporting students through Goal 1 and Goal 3; supporting employees through Goal 2)
Guided Pathways (supporting students)

Triton’s support for students has been recognized on a national level. In 2011, Triton College was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the United States Department of Education. To be designated as an HSI, a college or university must serve a minimum Hispanic student population of 25%. Today, Triton’s student body consists of over 40% Hispanic students.

Triton College offers students, faculty, and staff year-round educational opportunities and community-building programs to foster an equitable and inclusive learning environment. Many of these are supported with institutional funds, state grants, and national grants.

Click below to learn more about the college’s programs and services. Please email dei@smcun.com for additional recommendations for inclusion.

DEI SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS	DEI PROGRAMS FOR EMPLOYEES
DEI HERITAGE AND AWARENESS	DEI POLICIES & PROCEDURES

DEI SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS Triton College provides a range of programs and support for students specifically designed to provide a more equitable and inclusive learning environment. These range from programs for low-income and minority students to support for adult learners. Several of these programs and services are supported by state and federal grants. DEI Support for Students Links Academic Success Center (ASC) ASC provides in-person and virtual tutoring to registered Triton College students. Adult Education Adult education programs which include: English as Second Language (ESL) for adults who want to learn to speak, read, and write English at all levels State of Illinois High School Diploma for adults preparing for GED® or the HiSET® exams Spanish State of Illinois High School Diploma for Spanish speaking adults pursuing their Spanish GED Citizenship for immigrants who are preparing for the naturalization test and interview Access to Literacy for adults who wish to improve their basic reading, writing, math, or English conversation skills Gear Up! for adult education students who want to transition to college, training, or employment. A variety of courses and resources help ESL and GED students improve language, literacy, math, and digital literacy skills while applying their learning to a career field Bridge to College Integrated Education and Training (IET) Career Awareness and Career Exploration AE Scholarships Digital Literacy for adult education students who are interested in developing basic or strengthening existing technology skills Student Support for adult education students who would like additional resources and additional assistance Adult Learners Recognizing the unique needs of adult learners, we have made communication to this student population a strategic priority. Center for Access and Accommodative Services (CAAS) Provides campus accessibility and accommodations for students with medical, physical, sensory or learning disabilities in academic and continuing education programs. Dual Credit Get on the fast track to earning college credit while still in high school with our Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Programs. Guided Pathways A structured framework to redesign the student experience at Triton College from entry to exit. Human Diversity Classes A requirement for students to fulfill the general education core courses is completion of a Human Diversity class. Five were added to the Triton College, developed as part of The Designing a Culturally Relevant Curriculum Project, made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Initiatives for Community Colleges. Open Educational Resources Faculty and Librarians partner to provide free, accessible course materials to students in a growing number of classes. Skill Enhancement and Employee Development (SEED) Part of CAAS, this program provides students with in-person instruction and work experiences designed to enhance employability skills, preparing them for independent employment. Student Clubs The Office of Student Life supports the institutional mission by offering students the opportunity to participate in social, recreational, educational and cultural activities through a blending of many areas of campus life including student activities, clubs and organizations, event programming, leadership programs, community/volunteer services and more. TRIO Student Support Services TRIO provides academic and other support services to low-income and first-generation college students (neither parent has earned a bachelor's degree from the US) and individuals with disabilities who are working towards completion of a certificate and/or their first associate’s degree. TRIUMPH & SURGE The TRIUMPH & SURGE Program is a minority retention program, designed to increase the number of minority students completing from Triton College. This initiative provides academic support, one-on-one mentoring and coaching, career exploration and development, community service projects and assistance in transitioning to a four-year institution or into the workforce Veterans and Military Family Services Designed to assist veterans as they transition from serving in the Armed Services to Triton College as a student and civilian. Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) The WEI program provides tuition-free training in high-demand fields to help participants secure a full-time career in less than one year. In addition to free tuition and books, the WEI grant program provides job training, skills development, and job placement support to all students in the program. Please email dei@smcun.com for additional recommendations for inclusion. To Top		DEI PROGRAMS FOR EMPLOYEES Triton College provides programs, trainings, and support to all employees of the college through the Professional Development Center and the Center for Teaching Excellence. Trainings and programs cover a range of DEI topics which may be taken individually or as a department or division. DEI Programs for Employees Links Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) The CTE supports all adjunct and full-time faculty to create, explore, and collaborate on innovative, high-quality, student-centered teaching methods in a diverse learning environment that fosters lifelong learning and student success. Co-Worker Connect The Professional Development Center provides employee events to foster inclusion across all employee groups. Co-Worker Connect events are offered every month and are open to all employees. Perspectives Access Triton has made a substantial investment in its faculty and staff by partnering with Perspectives, an Employee Assistance Program offering 24-hour access to counseling and legal services and personal and professional development. Professional Development Center (PDC) Safe Colleges Online training developed specifically for higher education. Topics include supervisory and leadership skills; quality service; Title IX-related subjects, and more. Your username is your Triton log-in username and no password is required. Strategic Plan Triton College launched its 3-year strategic plan in 2021. Please email dei@smcun.com for additional recommendations for inclusion. To Top
DEI HERITAGE AND AWARENESS Heritage/history months showcase different cultures, sharing and celebrating their contributions to society. These months are recognized by the government as Heritage Awareness Months. Heritage Months and Days of Observance January Heritage and Awareness February Heritage and Awareness March Heritage and Awareness April Heritage and Awareness May Heritage and Awareness June Heritage and Awareness July Heritage and Awareness August Heritage and Awareness September Heritage and Awareness September-October Heritage and Awareness October Heritage and Awareness November Heritage and Awareness December Heritage and Awareness To Top		DEI POLICIES & PROCEDURES Employees and students may address concerns of equity through the following policies and procedures. Questions may be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator of the College and Associate Vice President of Human Resources. DEI Policies & Procedures Links Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Board Policy 4102.1 Grievance Procedures for Each Employee Group Non-Discrimination Board Policy 4102.2 Title IX Coordinator: Associate Vice President of Human Resources Please email dei@smcun.com for additional recommendations for inclusion. To Top

In This Section

DEI Support for Students Links

DEI Programs for Employees Links

Heritage Months and Days of Observance

DEI Policies & Procedures Links