A student group at the IU School of Education has been hard at work this semester bringing together over 30 members with a goal dedicated to the retention, support and success of underrepresented minority students who plan on becoming future educators.

The Community of Diverse Educators (CODE) seeks to discuss, challenge and dismantle issues and barriers that underrepresented minority communities face in the teaching field through education, empowerment and advocacy. The group serves as a communal space for individuals to openly talk about challenges, share successes and build a network of support.

CODE is currently working with both Bloomington high schools on mentoring to promote equity and sense of belonging for all individuals involved. According to Da'Ja' Askew, Graduate President of CODE, members go to the high schools weekly to mentor minoritized students. The group also hosts various events relevant to culture, diversity, equity and inclusion at the high schools. In February, CODE hosted an African American Read-In and an Undergraduate Student Panel at Bloomington High School South and is looking forward to doing more events like this in the future.

CODE is also working with the Banneker Community Center to create a partnership where high school students can utilize the space at the center and hone their leadership skills by hosting their own events.

“Our long-term plan is to create a pipeline system with the Bloomington High Schools, CODE and Banneker,” Askew added. “In short, we plan on coordinating community partnerships to be implemented at the high schools and Banneker to increase civic engagement, community involvement and increase sense of belonging. We are attempting to bridge the gap between the university and the local Bloomington community.”

Naomi Gee is Undergraduate President of CODE. She wanted to join an organization that valued her voice and cared about bettering her individual and unique experience in whatever way it could: “I hope CODE has an impact that alters the culture of education on campus and in the Bloomington community. To me, this means more community, diversity and a focus on student needs and development at all academic levels.”

More broadly, CODE hopes to tackle the ongoing lack of diversity in education.

“Part of CODE’s mission is to address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion and promote cultural learning opportunities,” Askew said. “To solve this issue, we are working on cultivating a larger community on campus and building relationships within the organization and eventually merge those relationships into the local community. We are aiming to educate our campus and local community through various events, workshops, partnerships and mentoring. Our slogan is ‘More community, more power, more change,’ and that is what we intend to do.”