Diverse community comes together at DAC

Toni Klohk, the Diversity Achievement Center Coordinator at LBCC, spoke with journalism students on Friday, sharing information as well as her passion about DAC.
                                                                                                 Photos by Kay M Roth

By Kay M Roth

At Linn Benton Community College’s Diversity Achievement Center (DAC), it’s not about being different. “People are people,” said Toni Klohk, the center’s coordinator. The center’s mission and goal, according to Klohk, is to promote understanding, acceptance and to give people the opportunity to experience cultures other than their own. Everyone, she explained, has a culture they identify with.

DAC is the place where everyone can be themselves and openly discuss their differences. “We agree to disagree,” said Klohk on Friday morning. The center, which sponsors a number of diversity events including those during National Heritage months, is open to all students. “We want to open students’ minds.” Klohk said the programs offered through DAC are often student driven.

Recent events featured by DAC are the Gay Straight Alliance’s forum on bullying and the showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rob Lewis’s talk about his adventures in China. Upcoming events include the November 2 workshop at 2pm put on by the Native American Student Union featuring Rocky Gavin’s talk on flutes. Klohk noted this is a hands on workshop and is limited to 25 people. On November 10, Ian Priestman will give a noon presentation on cultural differences between the United States and the United Kingdom. Both events will be held in F-220 on campus.

“It’s a joy to interact with students,” said Klohk. She said that student participation, whether planning or participating in events, is very important. DAC provides a place for students to be diversity role models with no fears of repercussions. “It’s a very safe place for open and honest dialogue.”

When asked which diversity issue was most important to her personally, Klohk was hard pressed to decide on just one. “I’m passionate about them all.”

Klohk’s own past has worked in her favor when it comes to diversity. Having grown up in the Albany area, she later joined the military, eventually becoming part of the first Desert Storm. “The Army was good for me.” She gained a lot of experience that is now helping her in her chosen profession. As a female of short stature, she felt she had two strikes against her. She felt oppressed and, at times, was sexually harassed. “I had to prove myself everyday.”

She began her own college career at LBCC before transitioning to Linfield’s distance education program, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. “I kind of fell into the job,” she said of how she became the DAC coordinator. “I love my job. I get more passionate about it every day.”

The center is growing and students are discovering the great things offered there. Klohk always welcomes students who want to talk with her. She has a wide variety of local resources at her fingertips. Helping students and getting them the support they need is close to her heart. “It’s about taking care of yourself.”

The DAC is open from 9am until 3pm Monday-Friday. Klohk really encourages students to stop in. She remains in her office until 5pm. “Just knock on the door.” The center has games, computers, and couches, giving students a place to relax, socialize and even eat lunch. “There’s something for everyone.” The DAC phone number is 541-917-4461.

At a glance:
Diversity Achievement Center
Student Union building, Room 220
541-917-4461
dac@linnbenton.edu

http://www.linnbenton.edu/index.cfm?objectid=85064BD2-F8E0-5D5C-2772158E9E75B99C
On facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Albany-OR/Diversity-Achievement-Center-LBCC/291395021761

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