JANESVILLE — Blackhawk Technical College’s District Board on Wednesday adopted a formal statement that prioritizes diversity at the college and reflects Blackhawk’s investment in cultivating an on-campus culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

The statement reads: “In an effort to provide flexible education and a supportive environment, Blackhawk Technical College aspires to create a climate in which all students, employees and community members feel welcomed, valued and included. To that end, the College strives to use inclusive and accessible practices to create a community of diverse ideas, abilities, cultures and lifestyles.”

The first in the college’s history, the diversity statement was crafted by Blackhawk’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee, which was formed about three years ago to celebrate and promote equity, diversity, inclusiveness, accessibility, civility and non-discrimination across all college programs and services.

“This statement formalizes our commitment to creating a campus community that embraces and responds to an increasingly diverse and globalized world,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk. “The work is ongoing, and this statement will serve as a guidepost as we continue to promote a diverse and inclusive environment for all.”

The statement represents only a portion of the work that the committee, college leadership, enrollment staff and others have been engaged in over the past few years. Other initiatives, which are also outlined on a new webpage at blackhawk.edu/diversity, include:

• The Blackhawk Equity Access & Motivation (BEAM) program: This program works in partnership with K12 leaders to help close equity gaps in higher education.
• Blackhawk 101: As part of the BEAM program, Blackhawk 101 is a summer readiness and support program for students of color.
• The IDEAL Opportunity Scholarship program: The BTC Foundation awards a full-tuition scholarship to a person of color who intends to study Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Electromechanical Technology, Automotive Systems Technology, Nuclear Technology or Criminal Justice.
• Addition of “inclusive” to Blackhawk’s values: In February 2022, the IDEA Committee and the Executive Council added a sixth value - inclusive - to the college’s core values, which play into the college’s mission and vision. The District Board also formally approved the new value on Wednesday.

In addition, the college will open a new multicultural student space near its remodeled student commons this summer. Called The Unity Room, the space will be run by Blackhawk’s Multi-Cultural Alliance and be a place where all are welcome to hang out, host events and hold meetings.

The college also will soon begin work on a land acknowledgment statement to honor and recognize the Indigenous peoples who historically were the stewards of the lands on which Blackhawk now stands.

Blackhawk was recently recognized for its diversity and equity work by Forward Janesville. The college received the 2021 Large Business of the Year Award from the organization in part for its support of policies, practices and attitudes for the advancement of women, social justice, racial equality and diversity throughout the community.

“Blackhawk has and will continue to approach diversity work as mission critical,” Pierner said.