Misunderstood Panel - What is Restorative Justice and Why Should it Matter to You.

After being charged with a crime, the person becomes labeled by their offense, privileges are lost, and access is denied, from financial aid to the right to vote and beyond. These restrictions can lead to a pattern of re-offending and/or a cycle of crime. With Restorative Justice week being observed November 20 - 26, the DEI Council invites you to learn about restorative justice from this esteemed panel of professionals:

Christine Gilman, Executive Director at Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan 
Kathie Gourlay, Founder, Friends of Restorative Justice 
Angel McKissic, Founder, Metro Detroit Restorative Justice Network
Barb Van Loon, Program Director of Criminal Justice, Baker College

DEI Unity Summit:  "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice No Matter What!”

To reaffirm our intentional and ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice work at Baker College, we hold an annual summit to discuss important and timely topics with the intention of building DEI capacity within the Baker College community.
 

International Pronouns Day

At Baker College, we want to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable bringing their full and authentic selves to school or work. Using the correct pronouns is the easiest way to show your respect and support for someone. Any individual outside of the transgender and nonbinary community that uses the correct pronouns for those around them signals that you are a safe space and can be trusted. There are a few actions you can take to show your support right now!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Learn more about the items in your Hispanic Heritage Month bag, discover where Hispanic and Latinx heritage is being celebrated throughout the year in Michigan, and find a Hispanic owned business around your Baker campus by clicking the links below.

• Hispanic Heritage DIY Movie, Snack, and Craft Night Information
• Hispanic Heritage Celebrations in Michigan
• Hispanic Owned Business in Michigan

Pride Month

Pride Month and Pride Events in your area during June

Women's History Month - Kimberly Dark

Professor, Author and Storyteller Kimberly Dark uses engaging storytelling to make complex ideas relatable.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Essay Contest

Congratulations to all the winners! View the MLK Social Justice Essay Contest Winners.

Unity Summit Online

Gratitude and Traditions Celebrating Native American Heritage

Keynote Speaker: Ashley Gravelle, Cultural Healing Educator, Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Veterans Day

A Veterans Day tribute from the students and staff at Baker College.

Watch the Veterans Day Tribute video »

Hispanic Heritage Month

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month. Watch the interactive Hispanic Heritage Month presentation.

View the Hispanic Heritage Month interactive presentation »

Misunderstood Panel

Perspectives on Mental Health Within the LGBTQ+ Community

Misunderstood Panel event, inviting experts and professionals across our communities to speak on a variety of topics focusing on groups and communities within society that are routinely stigmatized, misunderstood, and marginalized.

Our esteemed panelists include:
Dr. Joe Kort, Licensed Sex and Relationship Therapist
Dr. Alison Chrisler, Professorial Lecturer, Dept of Health Studies at American University
Dr. Tina Timm, Associate Professor, School of Social Work at MSU
Dr. Christopher Belous, Director of Couple & Family Therapy Graduate Program at Purdue University Northwest

Misunderstood Panel, March 22nd

Critical Race Theory: Intersectionality of Race, Law and Education

Misunderstood Panel event, inviting experts and professionals across our communities to speak on a variety of topics focusing on groups and communities within society that are routinely stigmatized, misunderstood, and marginalized.

Our esteemed panelists include:
Rev. Wende II Anthony, President of NAACP Detroit
Judge Cylenthia LaToya Miller, Third Judicial Circuit Court
Victoria Burton-Harris, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Washtenaw County
Mary Jane Evink, Executive Director, Instructional Services, Grand Haven Public Schools
Julie Hurwitz, Civil Rights Attorney

Celebrating Diversity During the Holidays

Baker College DEI Council and DEI Chapter worked together to create a Holiday Cookbook featuring entrees, sides, breads, desserts and more.

Download DEI Holiday Cookbook

View the Holiday Message video »

Veterans Day 2021

Veterans Day message from the Baker College DEI Council.

View the Veterans Day message video »

Misunderstood Panel

Barriers of Voting: Know Your Power

Misunderstood Panel event, inviting experts and professionals across our communities to speak on a variety of topics focusing on groups and communities within society that are routinely stigmatized, misunderstood, and marginalized.

Our esteemed panelists include:
Poppy Sias-Hernandez, Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer, Executive Office of the Governor, Executive Dir., Office of Global Michigan
Judge Cylenthia LaToya Miller, Third Judicial Circuit Court
Padma Kuppa, State Representative, 41st District, Troy & Clawson
Jamie Lyons-Eddy, Deputy Director, Voters Not Politicians

Hispanic Heritage Month 2021

Baker College Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) shares hispanic recipes in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

View the Hispanic CIM recipes video »

Black History Month Virtual Poster Contest

We would like to thank all the participants in this year's Black History Month Celebration. 

Poster Winners

1st Place

• Poster # 7
• Title: Harper Watters
• Student: Lauren Warshaw
• Program: Physical Therapy Assistant (Owosso)

2nd Place

• Poster # 6
• Title: Breaking the Glass for African American Women
• Student: Ashley Simrau
• Program: Nursing (Owosso)

Black History Month Virtual Expo

All of our participants did an exceptional job in shining a light on significant people and events in our nation's history, which is often not recognized.

1st Place

• Exhibit #3
• Title: Black History: A Step into Education
• Students: Madison O’Neil and Amy Thomas
• Program: Physical Therapy Assistant (Owosso)

2nd Place

• Exhibit #6
• Title: Figures in Congress
• Student: Heather Jeffery
• Program: Human Services (Muskegon)

3rd Place

• Exhibit # 15
• Title: Maya Angelou
• Students: Jamie Keating, Jaylynn Talsma, David Duthinth
• Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant (Owosso)

Black History Month Virtual Talent Show

We want all of our participants to know how PROUD we are of you!  We also want to send a special thank you to all of the coaches.

Talent Showcase  

• Song: Fist Full of Tears by Maxwell
• Student: Essence Whitlow  
• Program: Psychology (Online)

Congratulations to our winners, coaches and all of our 2021 Black History Month participants. 

Lt. Governor Gilchrist 2021 Message

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist congratulates Baker College on their Black History Month Celebration

View Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist congratulates Baker College on their Black History Month Celebration video »

Black History Month 2021

Baker College Leadership Reflections for Black History Month

View Reflecting on the Significance of Black Leaders video »

MLK Essay Scholarship Winners

Each Year Baker College’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council invites all students to participate in the annual “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award” essay contest in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Congratulations Marilyn Schonhard, Mickkayla Erbach, Lydia Marouf, Kate Dmitruchina, Mya Lewis, Jennevie Stephenson, Jacara Hollis, Tess Lewis, Travis Allen, and Angela Carter.

Thank you to all who participated and congratulations to these 10 students who were selected to win a scholarship. Your words are a powerful reminder of the challenges many face and the work it will take to continue moving forward.

View Baker College MLK Essay Contest Winners 2021 video »

Appreciating Diversity During the Holidays

Learn about different religions and holidays helps us to reduce stereotypes and serves to educate ourselves about what other people believe, experience and celebrate. Multicultural Calendar 2022

View Appreciating Diversity During the Holidays video »

DEI Virtual Unity Summit

On October 9th, the DEI Council held a virtual Unity Summit via Zoom that focused on “Encouraging Allyship During a Time of Crisis.” Keynote speaker, Jesse Hagopian, spoke to Baker College faculty and staff about ways to be an ally during such a divisive time in our nation.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Every year Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th. Baker College’s DEI Chapters celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with food, dance, music and events centered around the traditions of Latin culture.

Baker College remains committed to a safe and inclusive environment for all of our students, staff and faculty. Although this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration looks a little different, please know we are proud that you have chosen Baker College! We hope you enjoy our virtual events!

View the Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual video »

View the Hispanic Heritage Month Lunch and Learn video »

Veterans Day

Baker College celebrates Veterans Day each year to recognize our military students, staff and faculty, past and present, as well as to support our military veterans and salute them for their service. Many BC faculty, staff and students have served, and we honor them by placing their name and/or picture on an Honor Wall or Veterans Remembrance Tree. The Fallen Soldier tables at our campuses are another way we honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Honor a Veteran with a ribbon on the Honor Tree in gratitude to the service men and women who have sacrificed to protect our country and our freedom; Purple in honor of soldiers currently serving; Black in recognition of prisoners of war and those missing in action; White in memory of soldiers who gave their lives in service; Blue in honor of Baker College students or community members currently serving or who have served; Yellow in support of all veterans and service members.

Black History Month

Our Black History Month Expo showcases our students’ work! Every year our students design and present exhibits and posters, which highlight African-American accomplishments and contributions, in each of their educational professions. The community is invited to attend the showcase event and vote on the most educational and creative exhibits. The winners are awarded prestigious Baker College scholarships.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become the most recognized day for community service. Dr. King spoke of service, community, empowerment, and nonviolence. In recognition of the national holiday, and in honor of Dr. King’s humanitarian contributions, Baker College encourages students to engage in community service to commemorate the day. However, for the last few years, Baker College has also held an MLK essay contest to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The contest typically sees about 300 essay submissions, and 10 winners are chosen from the submissions; these winners are both undergraduates and graduates at Baker College, and they receive scholarships as their award.

Meet the 10 winners from our February 2020 contest:

• Katlyn Bogart, Junior, Bachelor of Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy
• Ryian Hubbard, Master's Candidate, Master of Science, Occupational Therapy
• Janaiya Joes, Freshman, Associate of Applied Science, Diagnostic Sonography
• Carisa Kramer, Postgraduate, Post-baccalaureate Certificate
• Abigail Lorincz, Junior, Bachelor, Business Administration, Management
• DayQuichiesa Martin, Junior, Associate of Applied Science, Criminal Justice
• NeKarra Norman, Freshman, Associate of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Anna Poling, Freshman, Associate of Applied Science, Veterinary Technology
• Baileigh Rohlfs, Freshman, Associate of Applied Science, Veterinary Technology
• Ruthann Strickland, Sophomore, Bachelor of Science, Nursing

DEI Unity Council Regional Dinner

Baker College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEI) and the DEI Campus Chapters hosted dinners regionally across the State of Michigan. These dinners were designed for students to connect with other students, staff, and faculty to have conversations centered on diversity and inclusion, gain awareness, and ask questions specific to minority students.

DEI Unity Summit

For the last few years, Baker College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council has consecutively held system-wide Unity Summit events to bring together faculty, staff, and students to spread awareness, share information, and come together in camaraderie to promote the institutional initiatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The most recent DEI Unity Summit was focused on inequities in education. The Summit participants had the opportunity to listen to an esteemed panel of DEI professionals in the morning and attended breakout sessions in the afternoon. Participants left the event with additional tools to further engage our diverse population of students.

View the Baker College Unity Council Summit 'Inequity in Education'; Keynote Address with David Humphry video »

View the Baker College Unity Council Summit 'Inequity in Education' Panel Discussion video »