Kim Allen, interim associate dean and director of academic programs, is pleased to announce that Alex Graves has transitioned to the new student equity and access specialist role in the Academic Programs Office.

“I’m thrilled that Alex will be joining our team in this new role and excited that our students will benefit from her expertise and commitment to excellence,” says Allen. 

Graves joined the CALS faculty in 2005 as an associate professor of soil and environmental microbiology. Previously, she was director of the CALS Office of Diversity and Inclusion and chair of the CALS Diversity Council. She helped spearhead signature programs, including CALS Community Conversations and the Conversations that Matter lunch series.

In her new role, Graves will focus on student diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) initiatives within Academic Programs. Her key role and responsibilities include: 

• Analyzing current survey data collected from students of underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds to identify unmet needs.
• Reviewing all student activities in Academic Programs for measures that assure inclusivity and belonging.
• Providing DEIB workshops for all CALS student organizations. 
• Developing a curriculum for ALS 495 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture and Life Sciences. 

“With the new dean and strategic plan, this is an exciting time for our college,” says Graves. “I’m eager to continue my efforts in DEIB with a central focus on students. This role allows me to continue moving the DEIB needle forward in a positive direction.”