Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Welcome to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion!
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion serves the students, faculty, and staff of Napa Valley College, with outreach to the communities of Napa County and its surrounding areas.
Our office works to create, strengthen, and sustain structures, policies, practices, and behaviors that
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support a diverse campus population and culture,
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advance efforts to achieve equity in student educational outcomes and employee professional success, and
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foster a sense of inclusion and belonging for all members of the Napa Valley College community, while also actively dismantling structures that promote and maintain inequality and oppression.
We firmly believe that diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and working environments where all cultures, identities, experiences, and worldviews are valued and welcomed lead to innovative, creative, and successful institutions that are healthy, nurturing, and highly productive. This, in turn, supports the development of more equitable, just, inclusive, and innovative societies poised to solve the challenges of this historical moment.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion engages in research and data analysis, the application of best practices in DEI, collaboration with institutional departments and units, partnerships with community, the creation and delivery of professional learning, and the development of social justice and equity networks to advocate for the advancement of equity, cultural understanding, and inclusive excellence in educational and work environments.
We are excited to welcome you to the Napa Valley College family. Please reach out and let us know how we can support you in your educational and professional journey.
Contact Us
- Dr. Patricia van Leeuwaarde Moonsammy
Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - patricia.moonsammy@napavalley.edu
- (707) 256-7166
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Trinity Tyson
Student Assistant
Cultural Programming
LAND Acknowledgment Statement
What is Equity?
Equity at Napa Valley College
At Napa Valley College, equity is both a guiding value and aspirational goal. Equity
is a multifaceted principle. Equity remedies systemic inequalities that are the result
of intersecting systems of oppression ingrained in our educational institutions. According
to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s
Office, equity is defined as “the condition under which individuals are provided the
resources they need to have access to the same opportunities as the general population.
Equity accounts for systematic inequalities, meaning the distribution of resources
provides more for those who need it most.”
Equity requires robust systems and dynamic processes that reinforce and replicate
socially just ideas, power, resources, strategies, conditions, habits, and outcomes.
Inequities are eliminated through changes in institutional mindsets, heartsets, cultures,
practices, policies, and routines. Equity necessitates an antiracist and socially
just framework to confront overt and covert racism and discrimination on the basis
of nationality, religion, gender, sexual identity, age, and disability embedded in
institutional structures, policies, cultures, and practices. The achievement of equity
demands a social justice orientation and a recognition of how power shapes and affects
relationships across the
institution.
• Centering equity in our actions and decision-making challenges us to seek and invite
the voices and experiences of young people, families, and communities that have been
situated farthest from the opportunities and desired outcomes we espouse for everyone.
• Leading for equity requires us to redesign structures, policies, procedures, and
processes to consciously redistribute power across role groups and institutions.
• Practicing equity in community acknowledges that we build with, and not for, others
— we invite, engage, and design solutions, and co-produce knowledge in partnership.
Success Factors Framework
- Directed: students have a goal and know how to achieve it
- Focused: students stay on track — keeping their eyes on the prize
- Nurtured: students feel somebody wants and helps them to succeed
- Engaged: students actively participate in class and extracurricular activities
- Connected: students feel like they are part of the college community
- Valued: students’ skills, talents, abilities and experiences are recognized; they have opportunities to contribute on campus and feel their contributions are appreciated
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