by Kylian Galtier / Staff Writer

The DEIB  (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) at Missouri Valley College aims to honor all and bring recognition to various groups and organizations. Founded during the 2020-2021 school year through the initiative of Jennifer Livengood, Elizabeth Bellamy, and Tamika Drake, the DEIB now includes Samantha Perkins, the Director of the Library.

The DEIB endeavors to facilitate conversations among students with individuals they wouldn’t typically engage with. Tamika Drake, the Director of Diversity & Inclusion, stated, “We work closely with the library staff to host and present various conversation topics for students, staff, and faculty to participate in.”

Several initiatives have been implemented at Missouri Valley College. Recently, the DEIB organized 15-minute presentations on feminism to commemorate Women’s History Month. During Black History Month, a speaker addressed historical and current events to stimulate dialogue. Religious events are also supported; for instance, during Ramadan, the DEIB provides prayer rooms for students.

The DEIB embraces individuals of all races, religions, languages, countries of origin, and sexual orientations. Drake emphasized, “The mission of the DEIB is to provide a comfortable avenue and resource for discussing any topic or situation without judgment.”

The establishment and operation of the DEIB represent a positive step forward for Missouri Valley College. Given the diverse student body hailing from around the globe, the DEIB aligns with the school’s core values of Diversity and Inclusion.