Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice (DESJ)

Spring 2024 Student Capstone Presentations

DESJ 298 student Austin Au presents his capstone work.

On June 4, 2024,  students who completed the DESJ 297/298 capstone courses presented their work to plan and implement original civic action projects focused on social justice issues. We had a wonderful showing of students, staff, faculty, community partners, and family members who came to support our DESJ students.

Below you can find links to students’ e-portfolios about themselves and their projects, along with some of their reflections on the capstone experience:

DESJ 298 students (left to right) Kirk Ralston, Alena Benoit, Justin Flores, Meg Loesch, and Jane Pascual.

Austin Au
“My capstone project centered around the neurodivergent student body at Everett Community College. This was the most rigorous and fulfilling work I’ve ever done in my life, let alone my academic career. . . .Through this capstone project I’ve made connections within the EvCC institution (students, faculty, and staff) in a way that has encouraged me to believe that I can do more than I ever realized and feel more fulfilled than I thought was possible.” 

Alena Benoit
“I am so proud of myself for choosing this class. I am most proud of the connections I have made along the way of this journey. . . .I have seen a group of people work together to complete a goal, I have seen the public come together to learn and advise each other and I have seen staff come together and guide the students to success.”

Justin Alvarado Flores
“Through my partnership with Washington Family Engagement, I am optimistic about the potential for our collaboration to extend beyond the confines of the academic setting. I sincerely hope that the research and work I have dedicated to this project will be used effectively to make a positive impact. . . .Reflecting on my work, I envision it as planting a seed that will germinate and flourish like an apple tree, providing nourishment and bearing fruit for the community.”

James Garret
“The differences that we make in our younger years make up the people we are to become. This class has been very valuable in the building of my character and in my ability to help. I've also learned the value of doing something because it feels important. This project has also taught me a lot about responsibility and being able to see something to the end. It also feels good to do something because you can or have the ability to. It's nice being able to help people but sometimes you don't know where to help or how to help. . . .There are many communities that are in need of a bigger voice and this class allows you to be that voice.”

Megdalyn Loesch
“Throughout this project I pushed myself to step out of my comfort zone and to figure out the logistics of how and what I was actually executing to make things safer and achieve the change I desire from this project . . . many people came up to me after the presentations saying that they wouldn’t or haven't thought about the effects that safety and campus concerns [have on deaf and hard of hearing populations]. . .There was definitely a responsibility to do this project because if anyone can make a change for the better than why can't I do it?”
 
Bhaby Jean Pascual
“I am motivated to participate in connecting with my community and form relationships with others who share similar interests as me. This not only helped me grow as a person, but also allowed me to contribute to a larger cause and make a positive impact in my community. “

Kirk Ralston
“I feel like I can see the world with a more equitable lens. Sociology taught me a lot I didn’t know about oppression, racism, sexism, etc., but doing this project I was able to change my whole opinion about the world around me. Ultimately, I have learned that we can and should question everything, especially if it appears as an injustice. Before, I wouldn’t have even tried to make waves about the Pride Center, but now, it all looks so different to me.”

View past DESJ events

For a complete overview of the courses you need to take in each phase of your degree, see the Program Map.

You can also keep track of your degree progress as a DESJ student by downloading and filling out the Program Checklist. 

Along with fulfilling the general degree requirements, DESJ students will take:

• SOC 170D: Introduction to Power and Privilege
• Your choice of at least 4 DESJ electives from a list of courses in the humanities and social sciences that tackle a variety of topics from the perspective of equity and social justice.
• DESJ 297 and 298. Toward the end of your degree, you will enroll in a 2-course, 5-credit sequence that supports you in completing an original, community-engaged capstone project.

Whether you choose to enter the workforce with your associate degree, or transfer and complete your bachelor’s degree, you’ll find that DESJ positions at nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies are on the rise. Career opportunities are growing nationwide in response to public and corporate calls to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Completing the DTA with an interest in Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice can equip you to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a Bachelor's degree in many different disciplines where the study of power and privilege is relevant. Some of those options include:

• Ethnic Studies
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Environmental Studies
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Communication or Journalism
• Education
• Cultural Studies
• Urban Planning
• Public Health
• Public Administration
• Political Science
• Law
• Business

Learn more about the Association in Arts and Sciences Direct Transfer Agreement. 

Here's what students have to say about classes in the DESJ interest:

"The support to focus on something that I thought was important and also had an interest in helped me focus on a portion of the population that may need more resources for success in a society that is really good at overlooking the problems we have collectively." - Megan on the DESJ capstone project experience

“I really enjoyed going to the University of Washington and speaking with other volunteers to gain their perspectives. . .I learned a great deal about historic racism and the deeds as a tool of segregation, with the ripple effects through generations still impacting homeownership rates today.” - Dani on the DESJ capstone project experience

"I will be taking away knowledge that I can use to help people in my current life, future career, and for the rest of my life. Everything we have learned are things that I can pinpoint to a certain person that I know, and I will be able to relate to and talk to that person about these issues." - Isabelle on HUM 200D: Intro to Gender Studies

"My Introduction to Gender Studies class has taught me the importance of recognizing and challenging gender norms, understanding how systems and multiple identities intersect with an individual's experience, and recognizing power dynamics within relationships. I have a deeper understanding of how gender impacts individuals and society as a whole." - Megan on HUM 200D: Intro to Gender Studies  

"DEI work is a passion of mine, and I have many opportunities to use the knowledge I’ve gained from this class to be a better participant in those spaces. . . .This course gave me a broader perspective of the way the race concept was crafted in America, and how it’s been used to disadvantage groups of people falling in non-white categories." - Alyssa on ANTH 122D: Human Diversity

"And that’s what I learned from this class. I learned that we have major power imbalances in our society. How that power imbalance affects the way we think and believe about each other. How that power imbalance affects the core structures and institutions of our society. And really how deep these biases are ingrained in our culture and our way of thinking. And it’s important for us to learn these things because once you can correctly identify a problem, you can start working on solutions." - Kaiden on SOC 170D: Power and Privilege

If you’re already a student at EvCC, email desj@everettcc.edu to connect with a program advisor.

If you are new to EvCC, this checklist will help you to get started. When you meet with an entry advisor, mention you’re interested in the DESJ program.