The department has earned the 2013 Gold Level of LGBTQ Career Center Certification from the OUT for Work (OFW), a group that that functions as a complimentary component in the total education experience of LGBTQ students, primarily in the development, evaluation, initiation, and implementation of career plans and opportunities. OFW’s programs, resources, and services provide assistance to students in the cultivation and enhancement of skills to explore career options, master search techniques and strategies, and research employment opportunities.

Nicole Collins, Career Consultant and Internship Coordinator at Unity College, has been a strong advocate for providing a welcoming service for members of the LGBTQ community.

“It is important that these services are available both in the office and in a more confidential online format,” Collins explained. Her office offers students access to an online library of career resources specific to LGBTQ students.

The effort has been an important one for Collins, who is a 2000 graduate of Unity College.

“What makes Unity a special place is its strong commitment to diversity,” Collins said. “College is a time for personal and academic growth. Part of that experience is developing self-awareness in a safe, supportive environment. This award is important because it is affirmation of all that Unity College strives to be on a daily basis.”

The College Diversity Committee works diligently to continually improve inclusive programming that addresses diversity in all of its forms.

Unity College is a private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education that emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.

Monday, January 28, 2013