The oldest two-year college in the state, Central Oregon Community College (COCC) has long made it their goal to honor and include students from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures across their campuses. In 2006, COCC established the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Bend Lifestyle had the opportunity to speak with this office’s director and two coordinators – the Native American Program Coordinator and the Afrocentric Program Coordinator.
Christy Walker, COCC Director of Diversity and Inclusion
What groups are supported through your office?
All groups – meaning all people are supported through our work. Diversity, equity and inclusion is for everyone. Everyone has a right to exist with respect and dignity, and all are welcome to participate, learn, and engage.
What does the work you do mean to you, to COCC, and our community?
This work means everything to me! We live in a society that perpetuates the notion that not all are created equal based on unearned privilege. Our work helps to create opportunities where we level the playing field. It is not enough to invite someone to the table. True inclusion means that everyone’s voice matters and holds weight.
Jeremiah Rector, COCC Native American Program Coordinator
Yá át ééh, Hello, my name is Jeremiah Rector.
My clans are:
Ma’íí deeshgíízhíníí nishłí, I am coyote passing clan;
Bilígaana bashishchiin, I am born for Anglo;
Tódích’íínii dashicheii, my maternal grandfather is Bitterwater clan;
Bilígaana dashinalí, my paternal grandfather is Anglo.
How long have you been the Native American Program Coordinator for COCC? What do you offer through this program and why are these services important to your students and COCC?
I have been in this position since moving to Bend in January of 2023 from Northern Arizona, Diné (Navajo) Nation.
The Native American Program allows a space for Native students to succeed at COCC. As these students are pursuing their goals for an education, spaces are provided for them to express and share their culture, like the Multicultural center where the First Nations Student Union club meet. This inclusive club is run by the student members and as a collective an extension of the cultures that are represented in the club.
What does the work you do mean to you personally?
It means a great deal to me. As a Diné (Navajo) man born and raised on the Navajo reservation, earning an American Indian Studies degree from Haskell Indian Nations University, Central Oregon Community College has given me the opportunity to give back to the Native community. Most of the students in the program are from tribes in Central Oregon and their career paths have strong connections to their tribal communities. My work here is not only for the students, but for everyone who has had an influence in my life and career.
Do you think the work done within this office has far reaching impacts for the school and community?
I believe the work we do within this office has great impact. Through my work serving tribal students attending COCC, I have made connections all around Central Oregon and have learned how our work is intertwined with the greater surrounding communities. We have made meaningful strides with our mission, but there is plenty more work to do. Our team is ready and built to take on that challenge.
Marcus LeGrand, COCC Afrocentric Program Coordinator
How long have you been the Afrocentric Student Program and College Prep Coordinator for COCC?
I’ve been in this dual role for about three years now, serving and working with various high schools and other branches of COCC in the Central Oregon region. This helps us provide resources that allow them to have academic success and societal agency.
What do you offer through this program?
We offer educational opportunities that enhance students’ access to resources that help them navigate college and industry, enhance their ability to think critically while developing decision-making tools to help them recognize how to pivot in any environment and give them access to culturally relevant content and activities geared to amplify their voice. We also offer skill building so they learn their true value in the world. When students are surrounded by other students who are working toward the same goals, dealing with similar issues, it helps them recognize that success comes when we do it collaboratively.
What does the work you do mean to you personally?
This work is one of my many passions because when I was growing up I recognized that impactful change happens when you can fail freely.
What do you love most about your job and why?
I love it when a student recognizes the true power they have as a person of color and the freedom it gives them.
Do you think the work done within this office has far-reaching impacts on the school and community?
Most definitely, because it shows students, families, and the greater community that our office has the willingness to listen to build a collaborative and sustainable community.
COCC.edu
"I have made connections all around Central Oregon and have learned how our work is intertwined with the greater surrounding communities."
— Jeremiah Rector, COCC Native American Program Coordinator
"Our work helps to create opportunities where we level the playing field. It is not enough to invite someone to the table. True inclusion means that everyone’s voice matters and holds weight."
— Christy Walker, COCC Director of Diversity and Inclusion