Now more than ever, it is critically important for our Chaparrals and the entire college
community to unite against racism. This institution-wide initiative will help us forge
ahead in our ongoing equity and inclusion work. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin
and other key stakeholders are partnering with COD.
By sharing life experiences, the cultures and histories of each other, we want to
empower and amplify voices of our students, faculty, staff and the community so we
can reflect, share and act against racism. Let’s work together and learn from one
another.
COD Stories

"When I first walked in, I didn't know what to expect. I was nervous, happy and also
felt alone," he said. "But within the first five minutes, I was a changed person.
And, for the first time in my life, I felt accepted for who I was. My objective was
to expand Pride to help more students than it had in the past, so I applied for the
president position and, with a great team of officers, we did just that." - Bradley
Kirouac
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COD Stories

"I could not be happier. Not only do I get to teach my students science but I also
get to serve as a mentor and role model to them, especially since I was also an ESL
student when I first started school in the U.S.," he said. "For me, seeing students'
'light bulbs' go off when they finally are able to understand or make the content
connections when learning, followed by their joyful smile and excitement, is what
fuels me as a teacher." - Daniel Fernandez
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COD Stories

"I want to represent not just Muslims or Arabs but all underrepresented people around
the world. I want each and every child to see themselves on the screen and feel included.
I want to openly and publicly acknowledge the barrier that sets us aside from everyone
else, and I want to help destroy it. I want to be the Muslim woman role model that
I never had to all the little Muslim girls out there, and I want to tell them that
they can achieve their dreams no matter what people say." - Bayan Jarad
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COD Stories

"I want people to know that no matter where they come from, who they are, who their
parents are or what background they have, they can achieve a successful education,
and College of DuPage can be a basic foundation to that goal," she said. "I came to
the U.S. when I was 10 years old and I did not speak any English. My mother cleaned
houses and my father was an upholsterer. Now I have two bachelor's degrees, an MBA
and my law degree and I graduated with zero debt." - Rocio S. Becerril
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COD Stories

"The film, 'Raising Bertie' is not a problem solver, but I hope it engages people
in a larger conversation about the issues presented." - Margaret Byrne
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Virtual Forums
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Awards Virtual Ceremony
Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, 3 p.m.
Virtual Ceremony broadcasted via Facebook
College of DuPage invites you to join our Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards
Ceremony. This year's virtual event recognizes the legacy and contributions made by
Dr. King. During the ceremony we will award MLK scholarship's to four College of DuPage
students who have demonstrated how the ideals taught and demonstrated by Dr. King
have directly made an impact on their lives.
View past events.
Keeping the Conversation Going
Faculty and staff from around the college community discuss why it is hard for people
to openly discuss the topic of race.
Blog: Speak Your Truth
Sharing unique stories from our campus and extended community as we explore diversity
and the experiences that have shaped our lives
View all blog posts.
Student Development Team
Meet the professional staff that are leading the #ChapsUnite Against Racism initiative.
Dean of Students
(630) 942-2485
deanofstudents@cod.edu