Programs & Initiatives
A Campuswide Commitment
Carthage College believes in nurturing an enlightened and inclusive college community that inspires meaningful contributions toward a better world. Carthage is committed to supporting diversity on campus. The following programs and initiatives reflect this commitment.
Anti-Racism Plan of Action
Carthage College’s anti-racism plan of action, announced July 6, 2020, is the result of conversations across campus, builds on our work to date, and has three goals: To close our achievement gap in graduation rates; to expand resources for diversity, equity, and inclusion work; and to infuse teaching of U.S. racial history into the curriculum for all students. Learn more about the Anti-Racism Plan of Action
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan 2020-2023
During the 2018-2019 academic year, a committee of dedicated faculty, staff, students, and administrators drafted the College’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. That document, completed and presented to President Swallow in June 2019, outlined a three-year plan to help shape a path forward toward enrolling, retaining, and graduating more students from underrepresented groups from Carthage College, and the promise of equal educational opportunity for all students.
See the DEI Strategic Plan 2020-23
Green Zone Initiative
Green Zone is to train members of the Carthage community to know more about the issues and concerns faced by military-affiliated students and to identify the ways in which they can be supported both inside and outside the classroom as they make their way through their college education. To better serve these students at Carthage, this training will focus on the retention, academic support, and assets that these highly motivated students bring to their Carthage education.
Learn more about the Green Zone Initiative
Intercultural Development Inventory
The Intercultural Developmental Inventory (IDI) is the only theory-based assessment of intercultural competence. Carthage administers the IDI to faculty and staff in the Equity & Inclusion Certificate Program, and to first-year students through the ARISE program.
Read more about the IDI
Moon Shot for Equity
Carthage has joined the nation’s first regional consortium of colleges and universities to commit to “Moon Shot for Equity,” a new national initiative that aims to close equity gaps in higher education by 2030. Through this initiative, Carthage is taking significant and measurable steps toward ensuring more students of color and other historically underserved populations graduate from college.
Learn more about Moon Shot for Equity
Gender-Inclusive Housing
Carthage offers gender-inclusive housing so residents can feel safe in their housing assignments with respect to their gender identity and gender expression. Gender-inclusive housing allows individuals to live together regardless of biological sex. The gender-inclusive floor is located in Madrigrano Hall. This floor will be available for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and allies. Non-binary and transgender students will be prioritized in the room assignment process in efforts to create a safe and supportive community for these students. Learn more
President’s Advisory Board for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
In September 2019, President Swallow formed the President’s Advisory Board for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as recommended by the DEI Strategic Plan. The Advisory Board consists of five faculty and staff members and two students. The group is charged with monitoring the College’s progress as we seek to become an ever more inclusive and equitable campus.
ARISE: Anti-Racism and Intercultural Seminar Experience
As part of Carthage’s Anti-Racism Plan, we’re launching the Anti-Racism and Intercultural Seminar Experience (ARISE) for first-year students beginning in the 2020-21 academic year. ARISE will include a two-semester process of personal and relational growth in four phases, including the completion of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Students will work with an assigned IDI equity coach — a Carthage faculty or staff member who is trained to administer and review the IDI assessment — to develop an intercultural project with both academic and experiential components.
Learn more about ARISE
Engagement & Inclusion Center
In fall 2020, Carthage opened the new Engagement & Inclusion Center. This center serves as the hub for inclusive campus programming related to equity and inclusion; partners with community social justice organizations in Racine and Kenosha to form strong coalitions and support networks for students, faculty, and staff; and delivers collaborative programming and training, such as Safe Zone LGBT training and anti-racism training. The center itself, located in the Todd Wehr Center, is a space for students to gather and is intended to facilitate a welcoming, inclusive campus for all.
Learn more about the Engagement & Inclusion Center
Black Student Union Scholarships
Two $2,000 scholarships are awarded each year to members of the Black Student Union. Students are invited to apply for the scholarship by submitting an application by Dec. 3 each year. The scholarship was created by Carthage College trustee Alan Mills ’79 in honor of his friends Raymond Threlkeld ’79 and Cynthia Walker ’78 for their deep friendship and the leadership they exhibited as students while at Carthage and in their careers since graduation.
Learn more about Black Student Union Scholarships
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarships
Carthage awards 15 $2,500 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarships to incoming students. These scholarships are renewable for four years. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship candidates are selected from among students who are admitted to Carthage and who have submitted the separate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship application and essay.
Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarships
Wiggan-Kenniebrew: Scholarships and the Black Alumni Network
Carthage has two funds to support multicultural students. Both funds were established by the Wiggan-Kenniebrew Black Alumni Network. The Wiggan-Kenniebrew Endowed Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for multicultural students. The Wiggan-Kenniebrew Experiential Learning Fund provides support for multicultural students to participate in co-curricular experiential learning opportunities not funded through tuition. The Wiggan-Kenniebrew Black Alumni Network was formed at Carthage in March 2018, named in honor of the first male and female students of African-American descent to graduate from Carthage, Lorraine A. Wiggan ’46 and Alonzo H. Kenniebrew ’54. This group of alumni is dedicated to providing support for current Carthage students of color, especially those of African American descent and those who support the African American community.
Learn more about the Wiggan-Kenniebrew Funds and Black Alumni Network
Bias Education Response Team
Also in fall 2019, Carthage College formed a Bias Education Response Team to carefully and thoroughly review all reported bias incidents. Bias incidents are those where speech or expressive conduct is directed toward an individual or group that is based on or motivated by the individual or group’s real or perceived gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability/neuro-ability, gender identity/expression, national origin, military/veteran status, and/or age. The Bias Education Response Team determines an appropriate response. Interventions may include education, restorative practices, community dialogue, disciplinary proceedings, and/or referral to local law enforcement. Although not every incident is a violation of College policy or law, all reported incidents are reviewed.
Read more about the Bias Education Response Team
Title IX
Carthage College is committed to providing a learning, living, and working environment free from gender-based discrimination and sexual violence. This applies to academic, educational, athletic, residential, and other College operated programs. Carthage complies with applicable state and federal statutes, including Title IX of the federal Higher Education Amendment of 1972 and the Campus SaVE Act.
Learn more about Title IX
Equity & Inclusion Certificate Program
Started in December 2016, the Equity and Inclusion Certificate Program is designed to assist administrators, faculty, and staff in expanding and deepening their intercultural competency to foster a positive campus community and climate that is equitable and inclusive of all individuals. Several cohorts of 15-25 faculty and staff complete the year-long program each year, engaging in 30-50 hours of professional learning experiences. Through this program, participants enhance their knowledge, disposition, and skills essential for equity and inclusion work; complete research-based, valid intercultural assessments; and develop a deeper understanding of the effects of stereotypes, implicit bias, and microaggressions.
Learn more about the Equity & Inclusion Certificate Program
SafeZone Training
Carthage participates in SafeZone, a national effort to develop, enhance, and maintain environments that are culturally competent and supportive to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Carthage College “SafeZones” are inclusive spaces for individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ communities, and where all people can feel welcome and safe to talk about LGBTQ+ issues.
Learn more about SafeZone Training