In 2020, Pierce College set forth a bold goal to improve equitable student success: Build an anti-racist institution through bravery, care, and purpose. The goal is at the heart of Pierce's mission to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world. The impetus behind this goal starts with the Board of Trustees.

The purpose of this Equity Strategic Plan is to organize and coordinate Pierce College's equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) activities and endeavors with the directives outlined in RCW 28B.50.920. This Equity Strategic Plan aligns with the district's overall strategic plan, which represents the college's integrated Institutional Effectiveness and budget processes, and guides the college's continued efforts toward mission. Five measurable core themes are integral to the strategic plan: Access; Excellence; Contribution to Community; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Student Learning and Success.

This Equity Strategic Plan is structured within the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education's (NADOHE) Framework for Advancing Anti-Racism Strategy on Campus. The framework emphasizes "ten (10) priority areas where anti-racism strategies would significantly improve conditions for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students, faculty, and staff." The 10 priority areas are as follows:

  1. Institutional Structure
  2. Policies and Procedures
  3. Resource Allocation
  4. Academic Equity and Student Success
  5. Curriculum and Pedagogy
  6. Hiring, Retention, and Promotion
  7. Institutional Programming
  8. Education/Training/Employee Development
  9. Campus Climate/Culture
  10. Admissions and Access

The directives outlined in RCW 28B.50.920 provide for equity and access in the community and technical colleges, and require diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism training and assessments at institutions of higher education, respectively. This Equity Strategic Plan was developed via an inclusive process of stakeholders including classified staff, faculty, administrative exempt staff, students, and community organizations. This plan will be updated on a biennial basis.

Download Strategic Plan

Download 2024-2026 Pierce College Biennial Equity Strategic Plan