LCC has adopted the Search Advocate program. Established in 2008 by OSU, the Search Advocate program enhances equity, validity, and diversity in hiring.  Search Advocates are LCC faculty and staff who are trained as search and selection process advisors.  Their preparation includes an 8 hour workshop addressing current research about implicit bias, diversity, the changing legal landscape in hiring, inclusive employment principles, practical strategies for each stage of the search process, and effective ways to be an advocate on a search committee.  As a quality assurance measure, advocates who wish to remain eligible beyond the first year must attend 75% of the Search Advocate quarterly meetings for the year.

Role:
Each Search Advocate is a non-voting member who advances inclusive excellence by asking questions to help committee members test their thinking, identifying and promoting practices that advance diversity and social justice, and minimizing the impacts of cognitive and structural biases.  As external committee members, advocates are able to explore assumptions, norms, and practices that an internal member might not question.  The search advocate plays a vital role in position development, recruitment, screening, interviews, and evaluation.

The work of the Search Advocate is intended to advance our principles of equity and diversity, as reflected in LCC’s workforce diversity plan: Lower Columbia College is committed to hiring and retaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of our student body. We strive to increase the diversity of our applicant pools and ensure equity and inclusion throughout our recruitment process.