Through the Supporting Equitable Learning Environments Virtual Series, San Bernardino Community College District employees are invited to participate in webinars that can help them implement equity-minded practices in the classroom and through online instruction.

This virtual series is part of an Inland Empire/Desert Regional Consortium (IEDRC) Strong Workforce Program regional project managed by SBCCD Economic Development and Corporate Training. 
"A total of nine virtual workshops are being delivered live to the region's 12 colleges by Dr. J. Luke Wood and Dr. Frank Harris III of the Center for Organizational Responsibility and Advancement and are based on research by the Community College Equity Assessment Lab," Wendy Lester, assistant manager of SBCCD's Workforce Development, says.

Webinar topics include Implicit Bias and Student Success, The Influence of Masculinities on Student Success in Men of Color, and Supporting Students Who Experience Acute Basic Needs Insecurities. 
"Community colleges play a crucial role in connecting students to rewarding career pathways, thus it is important to foster inclusive, engaging, and equitable learning environments to support students in achieving their educational goals," Lester says. "Workshops such as these align with SBCCD's commitment to equity and success initiatives related to the academic, student support, and social needs of students from culturally and socially diverse backgrounds."

There are 12 participating colleges, and Lester says San Bernardino Valley College faculty and staff have shown "a very high level of interest and engagement in this series."

Additional workshops are being planned through the end of April, and Lester encourages interested faculty and staff members to register and attend, saying it is "very rewarding" to be part of this collaborative project.