Mission
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council works in alignment with the mission, goals, and values of Otero College. The council works with administration, as well as the staff, faculty, and student voices to identify deficiencies in our campus culture related to equity, diversity and inclusion, and implement solutions to address our deficiencies.
Campus Diversity Statement
At Otero College, diversity and inclusion extend beyond mere symbols-they are the bedrock of our academic and community ethos. We are steadfast in our commitment to valuing and embracing People from all walks of life, recognizing that each person’s success enriches our collective learning experience. Our dedication is reflected in our unwavering support and respect for varied identities, beliefs, and backgrounds. This includes, but is not limited to, political convictions, religious beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, and ethnicities.
Otero College actively works to foster an intellectual community as well as providing a pivotal role of diversity and inclusion for its community. We achieve this through the facilitation of shared learning experiences that not only engage our campus in meaningful dialogue but also challenge existing barriers, build collaborative relationships, and create ample educational opportunities. Our initiatives are designed to encourage our campus community to explore the full spectrum of diversity and the complex intersections of identity.
As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), Otero College is deeply committed to creating an environment that nurtures positive, inclusive leaders. Our graduates emerge with a profound global understanding of multiculturalism and a sense of accountability to society at large.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
Otero College is located between the Arkansas and Purgatoire Rivers, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region including the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Sioux, Shoshone, Kiowa, and Ute. The region that we now call “La Junta,” the “junction” or meeting point, has been a place of trade, gathering, hunting, community, and healing for native peoples dating back at least 15,000 years. Otero recognizes that since our Institution’s founding, every member of our community, past, present, and future benefits from our campus’ occupation and use of these lands. We honor the generations who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place their home. Through this acknowledgment, we affirm the original stewardship of these lands by Indigenous people and commit ourselves to being more accountable to their voices and needs.