Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Department of Applied Ecology welcomes students, collaborators, and colleagues regardless of race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, age or disability status.  The more diverse our department is the better we are; only diverse research teams are capable of solving the global environmental challenges faced by a diverse society.  We are committed to self-evaluation, encouraging ongoing conversations and building an inclusive community, and have programs in place to produce meaningful outcomes.  We also believe that actions speak louder than words, and we hope that you will be a part of our process to identify and undo structural racism in our institutions and research fields, and our progress towards anti-racism and equality.

Title IX: Dr. Erin McKenney is identified as a Responsible Employee by the university.  As such, Erin is required to report any incidents of sex discrimination or any other misconduct to the Title IX coordinator or other appropriate school designee.

Reporting a Concern: Should you want to report something in a confidential manner, you could speak with the Counseling Center, Student Legal Services, Campus Health, or the Student Ombuds Office.

The last edit to this page was on August 23, 2023.

Resources for Faculty

Safer Science: Strategies to Protect At-Risk Researchers When Conducting Fieldwork: From Cornell. As a result of identity prejudice, certain individuals are more vulnerable to conflict and violence when they are performing scientific work in the field. To help create change and best practices, everyone within the scientific community will benefit from learning more about the risks some colleagues face performing fieldwork.

Small Pond Science EEB mentorship: We are pairing up students seeking support for fellowship and grad school applications with more experienced scientists who have agreed to give support and advice throughout the process. If you’re looking for a mentor, or you’d like to volunteer to be a mentor, please sign up!

SEEDS at NCSU: Ecological Society for America (ESA) Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS) SEEDS was established by ESA in 1996 to reduce, over time, the serious under-representation within the field of ecology of individuals from certain minority groups. The first phase of the program (1996-2002) focused on institutional support of historically black colleges and universities. To learn more about the history of SEEDS, read “The First Six Years.” There is currently not an active SEEDS at NCSU group – interested faculty should contact Ben Reading, who was a previous faculty liasison.

CAALS 3D: Creating Awareness of Agriculture and Life Sciences Disciplines, Degree Programs and Discoveries: This is a CALS Dean’s Office Program designed by Lisa Guion Jones as a recruitment tool for URM undergraduates to NCSU, which provides short research experiences in the summer (typically around July). It is a week-long program and it involves the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham and also other high schools in the state. URM students are provided with a summer research experience in agriculture or life sciences and then there is a symposium where the students present. LaTosha Bradley (latosha_bradley@ncsu.edu, in Harry Daniel’s Office) organizes it every year with Alex Graves (akgraves@ncsu.edu, Interim Director, CALS Office of Diversity Affairs). Ben Reading has been involved in this program since 2014 and he can provide more information about it (they are always looking for faculty volunteers to help host students!).

Lunch and Learn Conversations that Matter: These opportunities are sent out by CALS Office of Diversity and Inclusion (CALS ODI). They are free to attend, only registration is required. They are a bi-monthly series that enhances diversity awareness and builds cultural competencies for faculty, staff and students in CALS as well as university-wide. These shared lunches are meant to provide a safe space for the college community to come together to: explore different dimensions of diversity, gain skills they can use in the workplace and classroom, and foster a more inclusive environment. Contact LaTosha Bradley (latosha_bradley@ncsu.edu).

Opening Doors: This is a three-day overnight retreat that lays the foundation for personal and organizational growth. Participants deepen their awareness of diversity and enhance their ability to create inclusive organizations. The workshop addresses personal and professional change as part of an understanding differences initiative of multicultural organizational development. Contact LaTosha Bradley (latosha_bradley@ncsu.edu).

The Collective: A Space for Womxn of Color Community Connection: The Collective is a partnership between the Women’s Center and Prevention Services. The intention of The Collective is to create a space for existing and entering womxn of color at NC State to form a community, break silos, and deepen relationships through facilitated dialogue centered on truth-telling and testimonios. 

Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. Membership is open to people of any STEM major, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability status. The chapters at each University are committed to the advancement of BIPOC through engagement in professional development, community building, and outreach and education. The annual conference is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country. If you’re interested in being involved, please reach out to us, or fill out the form here.

NC State’s GLBT Advocacy Programs: The GLBT Advocate Program is a continuing education and engagement program for faculty and staff designed to provide participants with ongoing opportunities to learn and show their support as allies and advocates of the GLBT community.  Through taking an intersectional look at the incredibly diverse GLBT community, participants gain a stronger understanding of gender and sexuality, beyond our Project SAFE and Trans 101 workshop.

NC State’s African American Cultural Center: The African American Cultural Center promotes awareness of and appreciation for African American and other African descent experiences through activities and events that enhance academic excellence and strengthen cultural competence for the campus and surrounding communities. The African American Cultural Center stays actively engaged in the academic life of NC State with programs, resources and services that facilitate the cultural, intellectual and social growth of the entire university community.

Cultural Competence and Inclusivity Certificate Program: The Foundations of Cultural Competence and Inclusivity Certificate Program at NC States provides multiple levels of engagement in the areas of cultural competence and cultural intelligence. The program includes three components: 1) DiversityEdu for Faculty: Personal Skills for a Diverse Campus; 2) Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Assessment; and 3) Building Cultural Competence Knowledge and Skills. This program is for any faculty member who works with students, and involves online training to complete their certification. Register for the three-course Foundations of Cultural Competence and Inclusivity Certificate Program or register for individual sessions. All three courses currently cost $100, although the first module is free.

UNC’s Targeting Equity in Access to Mentoring (TEAM) ADVANCE: TEAM promotes accessible, equitable, and effective mentoring across the University, with emphasis on supporting women of color and white women in STEM fields. We provide educational materials and resources to chairs, deans, and administrators to support departmental mentoring. We also offer intersectionality-informed programs to improve faculty mentor and mentee experiences at each faculty career stage.

Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate at NC State: The AGEP-NC project, an Alliance of NC A&T State University, UNC Charlotte and NC State, provides a catalyst for departments wishing to build an infrastructure for their doctoral programs and a culture among dissertation advisors that successfully prepares underrepresented minority (URM) dissertation students for faculty careers in the sciences and engineering. Efforts currently being led by Brad Taylor.

500 Women Scientists: The mission of 500WS is to make science more open, inclusive, and accessible, and transform society by fighting racism, patriarchy, and oppressive societal norms. 

Videos and Webinars:

Readings:

Resources for Staff

Lunch and Learn Conversations that Matter: These opportunities are sent out by CALS Office of Diversity and Inclusion (CALS ODI). They are free to attend, only registration is required. They are a bi-monthly series that enhances diversity awareness and builds cultural competencies for faculty, staff and students in CALS as well as university-wide. These shared lunches are meant to provide a safe space for the college community to come together to: Explore different dimensions of diversity, Gain skills they can use in the workplace and classroom, and Foster a more inclusive environment. Contact LaTosha Bradley (latosha_bradley@ncsu.edu).

Opening Doors: This is a three-day overnight retreat that lays the foundation for personal and organizational growth. Participants deepen their awareness of diversity and enhance their ability to create inclusive organizations. The workshop addresses personal and professional change as part of an understanding differences initiative of multicultural organizational development. Contact LaTosha Bradley (latosha_bradley@ncsu.edu).

The Collective: A Space for Womxn of Color Community Connection: The Collective is a partnership between the Women’s Center and Prevention Services. The intention of The Collective is to create a space for existing and entering womxn of color at NC State to form a community, break silos, and deepen relationships through facilitated dialogue centered on truth-telling and testimonios. 

Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. Membership is open to people of any STEM major, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability status. The chapters at each University are committed to the advancement of BIPOC through engagement in professional development, community building, and outreach and education. The annual conference is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country. If you’re interested in being involved, please reach out to Melissa Ramirez / Claire Gordy / Carlos Goller / Caiti Heil, or fill out the form here.

NC State’s GLBT Advocacy Programs: The GLBT Advocate Program is a continuing education and engagement program for faculty and staff designed to provide participants with ongoing opportunities to learn and show their support as allies and advocates of the GLBT community.  Through taking an intersectional look at the incredibly diverse GLBT community, participants gain a stronger understanding of gender and sexuality, beyond our Project SAFE and Trans 101 workshop.

NC State’s African American Cultural Center: The African American Cultural Center promotes awareness of and appreciation for African American and other African descent experiences through activities and events that enhance academic excellence and strengthen cultural competence for the campus and surrounding communities. The African American Cultural Center stays actively engaged in the academic life of NC State with programs, resources and services that facilitate the cultural, intellectual and social growth of the entire university community.

Cultural Competence and Inclusivity Certificate Program: The Foundations of Cultural Competence and Inclusivity Certificate Program at NC States provides multiple levels of engagement in the areas of cultural competence and cultural intelligence. The program includes three components: 1) DiversityEdu for Faculty: Personal Skills for a Diverse Campus; 2) Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Assessment; and 3) Building Cultural Competence Knowledge and Skills. This program is for any faculty member who works with students, and involves online training to complete their certification. Register for the three-course Foundations of Cultural Competence and Inclusivity Certificate Program or register for individual sessions. All three courses currently cost $100, although the first module is free. Modules 2-3 will be rolled out fall 2020.

Videos and Webinars:

Readings:

Resources for Students

Small Pond Science EEB mentorship: We are pairing up students seeking support for fellowship and grad school applications with more experienced scientists who have agreed to give support and advice throughout the process. If you’re looking for a mentor, or you’d like to volunteer to be a mentor, please sign up!

SEEDS at NCSU: Ecological Society for America (ESA) Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS).  Currently, there is not an active SEEDS at NCSU group, but students interested in rebooting this group should contact Ben Reading, who was a previous faculty liaison.

Lunch and Learn Conversations that Matter: These opportunities are sent out by CALS Office of Diversity and Inclusion (CALS ODI). They are free to attend, only registration is required. They are a bi-monthly series that enhances diversity awareness and builds cultural competencies for faculty, staff and students in CALS as well as university-wide. These shared lunches are meant to provide a safe space for the college community to come together to: explore different dimensions of diversity, gain skills they can use in the workplace and classroom, and foster a more inclusive environment. Contact LaTosha Bradley (latosha_bradley@ncsu.edu).

The Collective: A Space for Womxn of Color Community Connection: The Collective is a partnership between the Women’s Center and Prevention Services. The intention of The Collective is to create a space for existing and entering womxn of color at NC State to form a community, break silos, and deepen relationships through facilitated dialogue centered on truth-telling and testimonios. 

Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. Membership is open to people of any STEM major, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability status. The chapters at each University are committed to the advancement of BIPOC through engagement in professional development, community building, and outreach and education. The annual conference is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country. If you’re interested in being involved, please reach out to us, or fill out the form here.

NC State’s GLBT Center: The mission of the NC State GLBT Center is to engage, develop and empower members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities and their allies. To fulfill that mission, we help students connect to form social support networks; offer identity-based and health-related information and resources; consult with students individually and collectively on issues related to personal identity and academic success; refer students to a wide variety of resources on campus and in the local community; provide professional and leadership development opportunities; and host educational events and programs.

GLBT Student Advocate Program: Similar to the faculty/staff program, but for students! Register here.

NC State’s African American Cultural Center: The African American Cultural Center promotes awareness of and appreciation for African American and other African descent experiences through activities and events that enhance academic excellence and strengthen cultural competence for the campus and surrounding communities. The African American Cultural Center stays actively engaged in the academic life of NC State with programs, resources and services that facilitate the cultural, intellectual and social growth of the entire university community.

Developing Cultural Competence Student Certificate Program.The DCC co-curricular certificate program includes three workshops designed to provide a theoretical framework for understanding culture, cultural dimensions, and cultural competency. The program also introduces cultural skills that are immediately applicable to experiences on and off campus. In order to earn the certificate, students should complete all five components: three 2-hour workshops led by GTI staff, a cultural reflection and a cultural assessment.

Additional Resources for All

At NC State CALS:

At NC State:

External: