By Isabella Lochhead
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – With diversity, equity and inclusion programs being shut down across the country, Camden County College President Lovell Pugh-Bassett is trying to make sure CCC students know she supports them in this troubling time.
Under the Trump administration, an executive order was recently issued for the removal of all DEI programs across the country in work and school environments. Schools, especially universities, are under threat to either follow the executive order or risk losing federal funding.
In an email sent to Camden County College students and workers on Jan. 29, Pugh-Bassett expressed her support for students, stating, “Please know that Camden County College seeks to provide equitable opportunity for all the students we serve and remain steadfast in that commitment. While we are carefully evaluating these changes to understand their potential impact on Camden County College, I’d like to assure you that this will not deter us from our mission/vision.”
Students from the CCC Pride 365 Club shared their feelings of relief for the college president’s support and their concerns for the shutdown of DEI programs possibly affecting CCC.
Venessa Warfel, a first-year CCC student majoring in game design and development and president of the Pride 365 Club, said she felt distraught over the loss of DEI programs. “As someone who belongs to not just one letter of the LGBT+ community but two, it’s hard, because there’s already so much hate in this world. I think it’s honestly sickening that they’re trying to take away the only opportunities that sometimes we can get.”
One of the reasons cited for the removal of DEI programs is they promote hiring unqualified people. Warfel disagrees. “Why can’t minorities be qualified, too? People who are against the DEI, they act like they’re just hiring unqualified minorities to fill the quota but minorities are perfectly capable of being qualified, too.”
Ryan Vu, a first-year computer graphics major, said he felt concerned about the removal of DEI programs possibly affecting CCC. “I’d be really upset if they close this particular club down. We worked so hard to make all this and we want this. Why don’t they? I don’t get why they have the need to shut things down.”
However, even with their concerns, these students aim to remain resilient, finding comfort from each other and the knowledge the college president has spoken out in support of the safety and well-being of every student at CCC.
“Camden County College as a whole is a safe space for me. I feel like I can just be myself here,” stated Vu, who hopes this can remain true.
In consideration for how the college president will continue to handle this situation, Ilan Fishman, a second-year liberal arts major, said, “I think she will reinforce that people will try their best to stand their ground and make sure everyone feels safe and supported in this environment.”
In a message of hope and perseverance, Warfel shared these words: “Stick together, create a network, have a support system, because no matter how alone people feel, I promise you that you are not alone.”