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Notre Dame College has received a grant from the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) to continue to engage its campus community members in discussions of diversity and inclusion.

The College’s Office of Mission Effectiveness, in collaboration with Campus Ministry and Student Affairs, was selected to receive one of only two awards granted by OFIC for the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. More than a dozen institutions from across the state of Ohio applied for the funding.

Notre Dame is using the $2,500 grant to support its “Vision & Voice” programming from January through April. The College begins the initiative with an inaugural essay and creative arts contest for all students, faculty and staff. The contest centers on issues of diversity in today’s society and asks contestants to write essays or create art entries around privilege, microaggressions or bigotry with an emphasis on how the participant would work toward a more equitable world. Cash prizes will be awarded in all three topic areas.

Contest winners will be asked to share their essays or creative projects at a Vision & Voice display or gathering still being prepared by the committee. Details are forthcoming, but those who may not wish to personally share their winning entries may choose to have their essays or art descriptions read or presented by another college community member.

The contest is part of an ongoing initiative to create meaningful conversations among Notre Dame community members. Those conversations will be highlighted in the three dinners that are also funded by the OFIC grant. The dinners hosting 35 guests each evening will be held in the McHugh Room on February 13, March 12 and April 15.  Each dinner will focus on the aforementioned topics with either a speaker, panel or some other input with the help of facilitators followed by table conversations. Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate. Invitation and RSVP information has been sent via email. “Vision & Voice” has been chosen not just as a catchphrase for this initiative but to highlight the importance of creating a vision of hope and equity in our world and to call attention to the value of each community member’s voice.

OFIC called for proposals from member institutions to address issues of diversity and inclusion. Programs were to be designed to engage, enlighten and connect students. Submissions could be aimed at addressing any or all forms of diversity, such as race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, ableism and sexual orientation, among others.

Proposals could replicate a project, propose a new initiative or support the continuation of a successful existing program to advance change and embrace diversity on the institutions’ campuses.

Winners of the OFIC awards were selected in December 2019 and notified in January of this year.

January 2020

About Notre Dame College

For almost a century, Notre Dame College has educated a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College has grown strategically to keep pace with the rapidly changing needs of students and the dramatic changes in higher education. But it has never lost sight of its emphasis on teaching students not only how to make a good living but also how to live a good life.

Today, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. Notre Dame College offers NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic programs for men and women and is located in a picturesque residential neighborhood just 25 minutes from the heart of Cleveland. Hallmarks of the Notre Dame experience include stimulating academics, personalized attention of dedicated faculty and staff, and small class sizes.

Notre Dame College is located at 4545 College Road in South Euclid. For further information contact Brian Johnston, chief communications officer, at 216.373.5252 or bjohnston@ndc.edu.