On April 2, Jamillya Hardley, who is the current Interim Director of the Woodrick Center of Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs, participated in the final Q&A for staff and faculty followed by another session for students on why she should be chosen for this job.
Hardley is a first-generation college student who earned a full-ride athletic scholarship to play basketball for the University of Michigan where she graduated with a bachelor’s of arts in Sociology. She later earned her master of Education in Higher Education at Grand Valley State University and began her tenure at GRCC in October of 2021. She has professional experience in student conduct, academic advising, career development and athletics.
During the staff and faculty Q&A, Hardley was asked what the job title means to her and how she would know she was successful in the role. She said that having resources that students can just be themselves and feel included is something that she aspires for with this title, and to be able to embrace difference and see the beauty in difference. As for how she would know she’s successful, she said that even though some things will take some time, we will be able to see some things change in the data analysis.
“I think as many things and opportunities that I can create for students in this work where you can simply just be (yourself) is a core principle that I instill in a lot of things I do,” Hardley said. “I think we have those different touch points in the data that will show us our narrative, I think it will take some time so some initiatives will have immediate success and some may take some time.
“Multicultural in a sense means this wide range of diversity in a sense of different and embracing difference and finding the beauty in difference and celebrating what that means for GRCC.”
Hardly was later asked about the difference between the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) and Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs. She replied that they’re very similar but the main difference is the shift in focus.
“A lot of the same initiatives would still be the same, but I think turn it inward and focus on our institution and our stakeholders, our students especially, and those equity gaps I think are more tied to the ODEI part of it,” Hardley said. “But when I see multicultural affairs I think (of things) like heritage months and not necessarily just structure and things, but like an ongoing continuous learning of the structure. It’s not necessarily a difference but there will be a shift in focus.”
Students then asked about how this role was going to change things for them during the student Q&A. Hardley answered that she wants to create a space where students can make mistakes and learn, and be able to grow in a way that can help students during their time at GRCC and beyond.
“This is the opportunity to create spaces for learning, that space for you to belong, a space for you to simply just be authentically and ask questions in growing and make mistakes in,” Hardley said. “So a lot of times we learn from an academic standpoint but also just emphasize that you’re going to make mistakes. This is college, that is a learning environment so I want to create that inclusive environment where it’s okay to make mistakes, it’s ok to learn and grow from but know that you’ll have support along the way as your journey here at GRCC as well as beyond.”
A question was raised about how the office plans to reach out to non-traditional students and Hardley said they try to accommodate students’ schedules and answer their questions or help them out however they need.
“I’ll find time to either connect with them virtually, or find spaces to reach them where this is fitting for their schedule, so we are very creative on what we do to support them or answer their questions or invite them to collaborate in ways that fit their schedule or their needs,” Hardley said.
