Page 22 - BusinessWest February 3, 2021

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
HCC, GCC, Elms College Presidents Receive National Recognition
Three local college presidents are among only 13 nation- wide to be recognized last week for leadership in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion by the Assoc. of
American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the education- technology company Cengage.
Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal, Green- field Community College President Yves Salomon-Fernández, and Elms College President Harry Dumay were among that select group of 13 to receive the AAC&U-Cengage Inclusion Scholarship, which recognizes college and university presidents whose outstanding leadership to advance liberal education has resulted in reduced equity gaps, improved inclusion and belonging for minority stu- dents, and reformed hiring practices to promote greater diversity.
“Growing up as a first-generation, low-income, multi-racial col- lege student, I understand some of the challenges today’s students face and the importance of having an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive,” said Royal, who was also honored last week by BusinessWest as one of the 2020 Women of Impact. “These are very important issues to me personally and professionally, as well as to our college community, and I’m honored to receive this recognition on behalf of HCC.”
The recipients were announced on Jan. 22 at the AAC&U Presi- dents’ Trust Symposium, part of the organization’s virtual annual meeting. The symposium brings together higher-education leaders from all institutional types to explore the most pressing issues facing colleges and universities and to share strategies for success.
“I am honored by this recognition, and I am most proud of the work that my colleagues and I are engaged in at Greenfield Commu- nity College with and for our local communities,” Salomon-Fernán-
Christina Royal
Yves Salomon-Fernández
dez said. “We know that a more just and equitable world is most conducive to citizenship and democracy.”
The other recipients of the 2021 AAC&U-Cengage Inclusion Scholarship are Sandra Boham, president
Diversity
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EDUCATION
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