Equity and student support drive the work of the Diversity & Inclusion Services team.     

Nadia Summers, 20, is excited to continue her education toward earning a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology.  

In December 2020, she graduated from the Forensic Science program, and she’s quick to thank her mentor for her success. “Coop has done a great job keeping me on track to graduate,” she says of Greg Cooper, a member of the FVTC Diversity & Inclusion Services team as well as the manager of Employment Connections. “He makes sure to ask how classes are going, how life is going, and takes the time to talk with my teachers about how I’m doing.” 

Cooper explains, “My role here is to recognize the struggles and challenges our students from diverse backgrounds go through, and help them find the resources they need.”

Chief Diversity Officer Rayon Brown oversees all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for FVTC. “One of the college’s core values is diversity, which we live and breathe every day,” says Brown. “Our work supports all students, and part of that is helping students of color overcome the challenges of inequity.” 

Students like Summers are grateful for the encouragement. “Teachers go above and beyond to help,” she says. “The Fox Valley Tech staff, overall, just care. When I’m at FVTC, I know I’m in a safe place.”  
 

Greg Cooper and Nadia Summers in the Forensic Science lab at the Public Safety Training Center