As college presidents, we praise diversity. Now, we must act to end injustice

Much of our community’s ethnic diversity comes from the students, faculty, and staff of our higher education institutions. As a statement of solidarity, and also acknowledging that all of our institutions reside on the ancestral homelands of the Coastal Salish Peoples, we urge the citizens of Whatcom County to join us in creating and sustaining a community that empowers the success of our students of color. One of the most important ways to do that is by bringing awareness to our everyday interactions with people and businesses in our communities, and by reflecting on how we can proactively make a home that is inviting and welcoming for all.

This column was written by the presidents of Whatcom County’s four institutions of higher learning: Sabah Randhawa of Western Washington University, Kathi Hiyane-Brown of Whatcom Community College, Kimberly Perry of Bellingham Technical College and Justin Guillory of Northwest Indian College.