Culture, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Culture, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

As the founding College of this land grant institution, we have an obligation and mission to not only reflect the society we serve in our composition but also to respect all voices in what we do and how we do it.

The CEDI Initiative

The College of Agricultural Sciences is committed to advancing a climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize the historic inequities of our land-grant institution and are committed to dismantling oppression of all kinds to build a community where everyone belongs and can realize their fullest potential.

The  Culture, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI) initiative launched in 2020 to focus that commitment with concrete action. Its goals are three-fold:

  • To improve how we reflect the population we serve.
  • To create opportunities for respectful and constructive dialogue between people and viewpoints.
  • To eliminate bias in our policies and procedures so they are as supportive as possible for all people.

In its first year, we focused on assessment with a commitment to invest in defined priorities resulting in the launch of a comprehensive strategic plan for inclusive excellence. At the same time, we have identified areas across our college where advances are being made and honest dialogue is encouraged to create incremental but meaningful change.

We know we have work to do. But we also recognize the importance of valuing the work that is being done. To that end, we are committed to highlighting some of this work and sharing it to a wide audience of internal and external stakeholders via our quarterly CEDI newsletter. This newsletter will also serve as a means of holding College leadership accountable to the development, implementation, and measurement of our strategic plan for inclusive excellence.

We also have embedded our Community Agreements for Real Engagement [CARE commitment], across every aspect of our work as we  embrace differences to find common ground and create opportunity for all.

The future of the College of Agricultural Sciences is rooted in the shared belief that the path to scientific discovery and meaningful impact only happens when we embrace our differences, find common ground, and create space for historically underrepresented and marginalized voices to participate.

In this effort, and in all that we do, we strive to make tomorrow better for everyone.

Staci L. Simonich, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Dean and Reub Long Professor
College of Agricultural Sciences
Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station

CEDI News

As the College of Agricultural Sciences seeks to advance inclusive excellence, we want to celebrate and acknowledge the important work that is taking place across the college while also acknowledging the inequities and challenges that stand in the way of inclusivity. These stories are an opportunity for us to share both the progress we are making, and the issues that need to be addressed to realize a truly equitable environment for all.

¡Bienvenido a Beaver Nation!

 

Silhouette of a farm windmill. Photo by Betsy Hartley.

Crisis helpline for Oregon’s agricultural and forestry communities is now open

The Oregon Agristress Helpline – 833-897-2474 – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by call or text. The voice line can be accessed...

VIEW Fellow Jose Torres tracks bighorn sheep in Mojave. Credit: Leigh Combrink

View Fellows Seize Opportunities to Divesify Wildlife Profession

As part of the fellowship, students work for 10 weeks at paid, mentored research programs. Each student is paired with a faculty mentor from the...

Pacific Northwest consortium aims to improve potato production with eco-friendly methods

Oregon State University is using the grant, which came from the US Department of Agriculture, to explore practices to improve soil health and...

Students

Faces: Eric Soto title

Eric Giovanni Soto | Crop & Soil Science with Agronomy option

The Dalles Oregon | First-generation college student

Men's Soccer Club Goalkeeper | Class of 2022

MANRRS Chapter President and Community Representative Officer

 

Faces: Xavier Tacker cover

Xavier Tacker | Class of 2024 | Natural Resources | BioResource Research

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. | 1st Generation College Student

MANRRS | LSAMP | EOP | Beaverton, OR

CAS Faculty Professional Development

November 8, 2022 - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Thank you to the 74 attendees who made time out of their busy schedules to participate in our DEI program. This was our largest attendance at a professional development session thus far. For those who were unable to attend, the recording of the presentation is available here:

Recording of the Presentation     Presentation Materials

Student Organizations

Students for Cultivating Change

Students for Cultivating Change

Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences

Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences

Society For Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science

Society For Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science

College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

CEDI Taskforce

 

  • Juriana Barboza Sagrero, CAS Alumnus / CPPHS Grad Student
  • Clara Bird, Graduate Student
  • Jeff Chang, Professor
  • Samantha Chisholm Hatfield, Assistant Professor
  • Jennifer Cohen, Administrative Assistant
  • Wanda Crannell, Instructor
  • Sandy DeBano*, Associate Professor
  • Shawn  Donkin, Associate Dean Research
  • Lauren Gwin, Associate Professor
  • Jessica Gutierrez, Faculty Research Assistant
  • Heidi Happonen*, Director of Marketing & Communications
  • Gail Langelloto, Professor
  • Sarah Masoni, Senior Faculty Research Assistant
  • Ricardo Mata-Gonzales, Associate Dean Academic Programs
  • Kathleen Omalley, Associate Professor
  • Dana Sanchez, Associate Professor
  • Staci Simonich, Dean
  • David Stone, Associate Dean International
  • Wei Qiang Yang, Professor
  • Yanyun Zhao, Associate Dean Faculty Affairs

*Co-Chair