Antioch College JEDI Council
The Antioch College Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) Council works together to embed the college’s values into our community. Holding the Antioch College community to a higher standard is a team effort. The JEDI Council is comprised of Faculty, Staff, and Students who want to make our campus a welcoming and safe place for all.
A Message from Shane Creepingbear, Dean of Admissions and Dean of External and Community Relations
“In recent years, the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) have faced significant challenges, particularly from institutions that seek to uphold systemic racism and white supremacy. At Antioch College, we are doubling down on our commitment to these values through the establishment of the JEDI Council. This dedicated team of campus leaders ensures that our mission and values are not only upheld but are also actively integrated into our practices and policies.
Arthur Morgan, a visionary leader and former president of Antioch College, once said, ‘Unless many people live and work in the intimate relationships of community life, there can never emerge a truly unified nation, or a community of mankind. If I do not love my neighbor whom I know, how can I love the human race, which is but an abstraction? If I have not learned to work with a few people, how can I be effective with many?’ This belief in the power of community is central to our approach. By nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment, we ensure that every student feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to the community. This will ensure they are developing power tools to become change agents in the world after they graduate from Antioch College.
At Antioch, diversity isn’t just about counting heads; it’s an all-in approach to addressing some of the most pressing issues of our times, issues that impact our students across generations. It’s an ethos that goes beyond a number that makes us look good on college ranking lists. We have one of the most diverse student bodies of any institution in the nation, and it’s clear that our commitment to addressing these challenges on a substantial, material basis creates an environment where our students can thrive and go on to make powerful changes in their own communities.
The creation of the JEDI Council underscores our dedication to combating the intersecting axes of oppression, including race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, religion, and socioeconomic status. Correct ideas and meaningful change arise from social practice, and it is through this lens that we strive to make a difference.
By embedding this structure campus-wide, Antioch College will remain a beacon of inclusivity, equity, and justice.”
Meet the team
Shane Creepingbear, Dean of Admission & Community and External Relations | Cabinet Representative & Convener
Queen Zabriskie, Director of the Coretta Scott King Center | Learning Hub & Community Engagement
Kevin McGruder, Faculty Fellow & Faculty Development and Diversity | Faculty Affairs
Bailey Johnson, Assistant Director of Human Resources & Title IX Coordinator | Human Resources
Malek Stewart, Assistant Director of Student Life and Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice
Mission
The JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) Council at Antioch College is dedicated to promoting justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion within our community and beyond. Comprised of faculty, students, and staff, we are committed to upholding these principles in all aspects of campus life. Our mission is to advance social and racial justice, support the college as it works to dismantle the ongoing legacy of settler colonial violence, as well as create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every individual feels valued and respected. Guided by compassion, we challenge systemic inequities, work for increased accessibility and inclusion, and celebrate the rich diversity of experiences and perspectives among us. Together, we strive to cultivate a culture that centers care and justice, fostering a community where all members can thrive and reach their fullest potential.
To achieve our goals, the JEDI Council, comprising individuals from various departments across campus, will embed our work deeply within the college’s fabric. We will examine the Antioch community in a way that explores how these intersecting axes of oppression, including race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, religion, and socioeconomic status, impact our community. We will implement a comprehensive strategy that includes training, policy development, workshops, curricular advocacy, and thorough analysis. Through ongoing conversations and advocacy, we will ensure that justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles are not only discussed but actively integrated into every aspect of campus life. This approach allows us to create sustainable change and to empower a culture that holds care and justice at its center.
Contact
You can find us individually through the directory, or email the JEDI team at: JEDI@antiochcollege.edu