Dr. Rita Ali is director of diversity at Illinois Central College, a role she’s had since the position was created in 2004. Among the positions she held prior to her work at ICC, Ali was marketing director and manager of AIS Federal Services Group, the director of Multicultural Student Services at Bradley University, a consultant for the City of Peoria’s Central Illinois Private Industry Council, a vocational counselor and coordinator of youth programs for the City of Peoria, and a counselor at Children’s Home.

Ali has a Bachelors degree in human services management from the University of Illinois at Springfield, a Masters degree in education administration from Bradley University, and is a doctoral candidate in organization and management at Capella University in Minneapolis.

She and her husband, Bashir, have four children.

Tell us about your background: education, family, etc.

I’m the second of my parents’ three children. My sister, Robin, is one-and-a-half years older, and my brother, Robert, is five years younger than I. My mother always refuted my designation as the “middle child,” insisting instead that I was the “baby girl.”

My family moved from Hannibal, Mo., to Peoria when I was six years old. At that time, kindergarten was optional in Missouri, and I wasn’t enrolled. I couldn’t wait to start first grade in Peoria. My mom had done such a good job working with me at home that, following assessment testing, I was moved from Mrs. Jones’ first grade class to Mrs. King’s advanced first grade class. Mrs. King arranged for a speech pathologist to work with me because my pronunciation of an “s” sounded like “th” and other words didn’t quite come out right. I sounded perfectly fine to me until the speech pathologist recorded my pronunciations and played the recording for me to hear. I laughed so hard to hear how funny I sounded. That same day I also learned how to put my tongue behind my teeth and pronounce the words correctly.

All of my elementary teachers were Caucasian women until seventh grade, when I had Diane Newsome, a young African-American woman. I loved all of my grade school teachers, and I knew they cared very much about me. But with Diane Newsome, I experienced something I hadn’t experienced as a student before: I saw myself in her. Through her role modeling, I saw possibilities for my future, and I was inspired. “Perhaps I, too, can become a teacher,” I thought.

I graduated from Manual High School in 1976 and became a single parent shortly thereafter. Despite the challenge I faced, I was determined to get a college education. I was accepted into Bradley University and received a full-ride Romeo B. Garrett Scholarship, named for Bradley’s first African-American professor. I attended Bradley for about two years, until my financial condition drove me to work. After entering the workforce, my pursuit of a baccalaureate degree continued part-time and extended over about eight years, until I graduated from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a B.A. in human services management. I later returned to Bradley to complete a Masters degree in education administration, and I expect to complete my doctorate from Capella University by this summer. I’ve learned that education is a tremendous door opener.

I’m very fortunate to have been raised in a loving family. My parents, Robert and Nora Bryant, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary May 6. Ten years ago, my husband, Bashir, and I were married May 6 and now share the same wedding anniversary as my parents.

Bashir and I have a blended family of four daughters—Brandy, Myranda, Amirah, and Aishah—and nine grandchildren (seven girls and two boys). As one of my granddaughters says, “Girls rule!” We’re so blessed with and so proud of all of our children and grandchildren.

Talk about your job as director of diversity at ICC and what that entails. How did that opportunity come about?

Our strategic plan, “Blueprint for the Future,” incorporates an initiative to “reach out to, attract, and retain a diverse student body and employee group and play a leadership role in community diversification initiatives.” This initiative resulted in the creation of the director of diversity position. My position includes the development, management, and oversight of diversity programs and services; diversity plan creation and implementation; campus and community diversity education and awareness; diverse student recruitment and retention; diverse employee recruitment and retention; and support services.

Prior to joining ICC, I was managing the federal services division of a great information technology company, and my work took me to the Washington, D.C. area on temporary assignment. After working in Washington for two years, it was important that I return home to Peoria with my family and, in doing so, I didn’t want to travel as much as my job as federal division manager would have required. With my near completion of a Ph.D. program and fond memories of working in higher education, I began to explore opportunities at Peoria area colleges and universities. When I ran across the advertisement for a director of diversity on ICC’s web site, I became excited as it appeared to be an ideal job for me, my skills, interests, and experience. I was impressed that the position reported to the college president, as it suggested commitment at the highest level. After a comprehensive hiring process, I was selected for the position.

How does your position integrate ICC’s approach to diversity?

At ICC, we view diversity in its many dimensions. Understanding that diversity is broader than black and white; our goal is to build an inclusive learning environment that’s considerate and tolerant of an individual’s cultural and ethnic heritage, age, gender, religion, abilities, sexual orientation, views, and other diverse characteristics.

My job, as director of diversity, is to work collaboratively with college stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan that addresses issues such as staff and faculty diversity, minority student recruitment and success, international education, first generation college students, and diversity awareness.

Do most colleges and universities have a position similar to yours? If not, do you believe they should?

My position is unique in that I report to the college president. Although not all positions report to the chief officer, most progressive colleges and universities have a position similar to mine. Titles and responsibilities vary somewhat, but many institutions today recognize the need to address issues of diversity. With the demographic shifts that are occurring so rapidly in our society, it’s incumbent upon responsible organizations to effectively manage diversity and to prepare their constituents to become more culturally competent, tolerant, and open to new realities. ICC has taken an important step in creating an executive level diversity position. Our next challenge is to transition from pockets of diversity to institutionalized diversity. This will require a village approach.

Tell us about your experiences as director of Multicultural Student Services at Bradley. How did that prepare you for your current position?

My job as director of Multicultural Student Services at Bradley University was awesome. As a protégé and former Garrett Scholar, I was extremely honored to manage and work in the Romeo B. Garrett Cultural Center at Bradley. My office developed and provided services to minority and international students and served as a campus and community resource for multicultural initiatives. My work at Bradley was very instrumental in preparing me for my current work at ICC. Through the lives of my international students, I traveled all around the world without ever leaving the campus.

The scope of my job as ICC’s director of diversity is much broader than my work in multicultural student services because diversity is broader than culture. My current work is connected with almost every aspect of the college: academics, employee services, student support, student and staff recruitment and retention, internationalization, facilities, food services, marketing, faculty and staff development, research, and community outreach.

What part should institutions of higher learning play within the wider community in terms of diversity education and integration?

Colleges and universities should be key resources for diversity education and integration. The provision of this type of service and/or consultation aligns with the mission and role of a community college. We have resources, including myself, who are trained, certified, and experienced in this area.

Discuss some of the important community work that you’ve been involved in. Why have these particular activities attracted your interest?

Much of my community work has been related to social justice, urban economic empowerment, welfare reform, minority student development, employment and training, and mentoring. I’ve been a benefactor in each of these areas, and I have knowledge and skills I want to share in helping others. I currently serve on six community boards: PCCEO, Tri-County (Peoria) Urban League, Upgrade Housing Corporation, King Holiday Committee of Peoria, Inc., OSF Children’s Hospital, and the YWCA. My personal convictions and values align with the mission and goals of these outstanding organizations.

In your opinion, how is the Peoria area doing in regard to celebrating diversity? What additional steps would you like to see taken?

Honestly speaking, I think Peoria has some serious issues to address with regard to diversity. We’re a good community full of good, well-meaning people. However, far too often we remain in our comfortable homogeneous groups, fail to create inclusive teams, ignore status inequalities within our organizational structures, and display indifference with regard to diversity. Diversity is too often misunderstood, perceived in narrow terms, misrepresented as Affirmative Action, or given a back seat. When we truly understand diversity, we realize everyone is connected in some way or form, our differences are tolerated and respected, and we break down barriers that keep us apart. Aside from moral values or political correctness, there’s a strong business case for diversity for which many seem unaware.

I’d like to see more commitment to diversity from Peoria area leaders, businesses, and organizations. As a global leader, Caterpillar gets it. They recruit for diversity, contract for diversity, and require many of their employees to have multicultural skills. As a national and international service provider, the American Red Cross gets it. They provide diversity education to all of their employees. As a community, Peoria can get it too, but we must first begin by talking about issues of diversity—where we are and where we want or need to be. A community-wide dialogue that addresses issues on diversity may be a good starting point.

You started your adult career as a community organizer at Northside Action Council and have had some very interesting jobs. What have been the highlights and learning points along the way?

Indeed, I’ve been blessed with very interesting jobs. My very first job, at age 14, was at the Dar Es Salaam (House of Peace) Center, which was located on Sheridan Road (now Richard Pryor Lane) on Peoria’s South Side. The center, which closed in the 1970s, was operated by the Community Action Agency, and my job as community outreach worker was funded by the Tri-County Urban League’s Summer Youth Program. Ironically, I now serve on the boards of both of these organizations. My work involved grass-roots community work, which continued in several jobs that followed.

In my work at Northside Action Council with my then-boss and mentor David Koehler, I learned many strategies for effectively addressing community problems and building cohesive groups.

Long before we became a couple, my husband was my boss and mentor. As executive director of what was then known as the Private Industry Council, Bashir required high standards and excellence from his staff. I thrived on and strived for the excellence, and it continues to pay high dividends. His organization, now known as the Workforce Network, has evolved to become a tremendous statewide success.

Of what professional or community achievement are you proudest?

If I have to pick just one professional/community achievement of which I’m most proud, it’s my work coordinating successful youth programs through the Private Industry Council a number of years ago. One of my programs, Summer Education & Training Program (STEP), a year-round education program for disadvantaged 14- and 15-year-olds, won a U.S. Presidential Award. I worked with an outstanding team of people who put “mission first, people always.” It’s so exciting to encounter these students today—some attend ICC—because they remember me, and they remember the fun we had while learning and growing. They’re now 29 and 30 years old. To know I had a positive impact on the lives of these young people is very rewarding.

What future plans do you have for yourself and for ICC?

My 2006 new year’s resolutions are the same as my 2005 and 2004 resolutions: put God and loved ones first; diet and exercise appropriately (this one is tough), work aggressively to complete my Ph.D., give my best on the job, and work diligently to become debt-free. I continue to strive in each of these areas.

My plan at ICC is to be effective in my work. I take my job seriously, and I plan to make a sustaining difference in improving the organizational culture and helping people to succeed, improve their life or work situation, and to grow beyond their current understanding.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your career?

I’ve had so many good mentors who’ve given me great advice. My dad said, “You are a finisher; always finish what you start.” Dr. Romeo B. Garrett told me, “Keep on keeping on.” My husband said, “Be the labor great or small, do it right or not at all.”

One of the most memorable pieces of advice I try to practice regularly came from my mentor, Dolores Helm, who said, “Don’t depend on your employer; let your dependence be on the Most High.” This advice has helped sustain me throughout my professional career. TPW