Page 23 - Hadassah Academic College - President’s Report 2021

Diversity and Opportunity:

Foundations for Effective

Social Mobility

Personalized Support for Greater Integration and Success

The first of its kind on the Israeli academic landscape, the Azrieli Center for Diversity and Inclu-
sion in Higher Education and Employment emerged from HAC’s determination to be a significant
game changer in the promotion of equal access to higher education in Israel, and specifically in
Jerusalem. Inaugurated in June 2021, the Center now enables HAC to provide a ‘’one stop shop’’
of integrated services for its diverse student body, including personalized solutions that address our
students’ unique educational and psychosocial needs.
The challenge to provide personalized and I am thrilled to watch students, who
high-quality support services for students from never thought they would make it, expe-
different ethnic, religious, and socio-economic
backgrounds is deeply ingrained in the DNA rience success and personal empower-
of the College, and evident in our consistently ment, and the sense that they met a pro-
high rate of student retention. This includes a fessional team that really understood
commitment to provide for the special needs their needs.
of students suffering from learning disabilities
or emotional challenges, and those suffering Ofra Rotem, Head of the Henrietta
from physical or sensory disabilities or chronic Szold Challenge Center and
illnesses. Remarkably, every year nearly 50% Pre Academic Programs
of our students are the first in their families to
pursue higher education. HAC is renowned for its staunch commitment to every student’s success,
which is backed by sensitive faculty and staff, accessible learning reinforcement programs, gener-
ous scholarships, and first-rate career counseling.
The Azrieli Center will ultimately promote greater coordination among all of HAC’s student support
services. This will result in the ability to provide more uniquely tailored interventions, counseling, and
guidance, and better assistance for graduates embarking on their career. Located on the recently
renovated fifth floor of the impressive Helmsley Charitable Trust Interdisciplinary Science Center
building, the Azrieli Center houses the Office of the Dean of Students, Pre-Academic Programs and
the Henrietta Szold Challenge Center, and the Career Counseling Center. The new facility, slated
to serve some 3000 students annually, will also help improve the level of faculty engagement and
staff collaboration in serving our students. It will afford a greater level of privacy during individual
guidance and counseling sessions, and offer inviting seminar rooms for workshops, trainings, and
other activities.

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