Cultural competence is an ongoing process of increasing proficiency in the ability to assess and revise individual and organizational behavior in response to an expanded understanding of culture. Culture refers to an integrated pattern of collective behavior, including habits, customs, values, beliefs, and institutions. Cultural competence is associated with attributes, knowledge and skills that enable individuals and organizations to demonstrate respect and value for each person and to manifest an understanding of the dynamics of difference.
Cosumnes River College pursues attitudes, values, and practices that promote healthy, constructive interactions in a diverse community and enable the college to work effectively with our diverse students. To promote cultural competence and create an inclusive learning environment, CRC values:
- Diversity and pluralism
- Continuous personal and professional development, assessment and revision
- Awareness of the dynamics of cross-cultural interactions
- The ongoing pursuit of teaching strategies and student services that better serve diverse populations
- An environment of respect, equity, and justice
- Enrollment at the CRC campus is approximately 15,300 students.
- CRC serves a diverse community including many students of mixed heritage. The composition includes: 26.5% Asian-American/Pacific Islander, 24.4% White/European American, 18.7% Hispanic/Latino, 12.9% African American/Black, 11.2% Other Non-White, 5.7% Multi-Race/Multi-ethnic and 0.5% Native American.
- CRC serves the younger as well as the older student with 59.3% of the student population under the age of 25 and 13.9% over the age of 39.
- The ratio of female students to male students is 56.2% female, 42.8% male.
- More than 42% of CRC students are first-generation college students.
- CRC students come from varied economic backgrounds with 36.8% of students reporting incomes that are considered below poverty and 29% of students reporting incomes that are considered middle income.
- More than 46% of CRC students exclusively attend day classes and 29.0% of students attend only at night. Slightly more than 23% of students take day and evening classes and 11.7% of CRC’s students are enrolled in online or other courses that have no regular meeting time.
- Most students attend part time with 27% taking fewer than 6 units, 39.6% enrolled in 6 to 11.9 units, and 33.4% enrolled in 12 or more units.
- Survey results indicate that more than 10% of CRC’s students identified a sexual orientation other than heterosexual.
- Approximately 3.5% of CRC students receive services through the Disabled Students Program.