Honoring Diversity

In the Oregon State University Extension Service, we seek to understand each other and move beyond simple tolerance to embrace and celebrate the diversity within each of us.  This can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.  To do this, we need to provide a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.

OSU Extension Diversity Goal

Our goal is twofold: Help OSU Extension become a healthy, thriving, learning organization that meets the changing needs of the diverse population in Oregon and help our clientele operate effectively and successfully in a multicultural world.

Diversity Action Plans, Policies & Resources

Recruitment, Retention & Exit Interview Resources

Mentoring Resources

Demographic Data

Change Agent States for Diversity Project

Readings on Diversity

Professional Development Related to Honoring Diversity

OSU Diversity Resources

  • Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO)
    Manages the University's affirmative action and equal opportunity efforts by establishing policies and procedures and by evaluating hiring and recruitment practices. OSU Extension is working with AAEO to develop a training program for search committees and search committee diversity advocates.
  • Association of Faculty for the Advancement of People of Color (AFAPC)
    An organization of faculty committed to making OSU a more inclusive employer and workplace environment.
  • Office of Community and Diversity
    Assists the University in promoting cultural diversity, awareness, and sensitivity. Provides leadership in promoting an environment responsive to the diversity of groups represented within OSU.
  • Difference, Privilege, and Discrimination Program
    Works to create a more inclusive curriculum that addresses issues of race, class, gender, sexual identity, and other institutionalized systems of inequality.
  • Disability Access Services (DAS)
    DAS builds and maintains partnerships within the university community. The DAS serves as a university resource to engage in building a strong community where university constituents with disabilities are fully integrated and have equal access. DAS advances the abilities of people with disabilities to meet their individual life goals through the use of information technologies.
  • Diversity Development
    Responsible for the four Cultural Centers at OSU: the Asian Pacific Cultural Center, the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, Centro Cultural César Chávez, and the Native American Longhouse
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Services (LGBT)
    Supports OSU in meeting the specific academic, social, and cultural needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Allied (LGBTQQIA) OSU faculty, staff and students, prospective and current.
  • Office of Women's Advancement and Gender Equity
    Assists in the advancement of women and addresses gender disparities on the OSU campus.
  • President's Commission on the Status of Women
    Actively helps women faculty to succeed professionally and personally, and seeks to foster community awareness of women's issues.

International and Intercultural OSU Services

  • Asian and Pacific Islander American Student Services (APIA Student Services)
    Assist Asian/Pacific American OSU faculty, staff and students at OSU with their academic, professional, and personal growth through educational and cultural programs.
  • CASA Latina/o de OSU
    Provides OSU faculty, staff and students with a viable support system and advocacy services.
  • Office of American Indian Initiatives
    Charged with the central goal of building the capacity and potential of American Indian students and American Indian communities.
  • International Programs
    Composed of five integrated and supportive units - International Education and Outreach, International Student and Faculty Services, English Language Institute, OUS International Programs and the Administrative Services Unit.
  • Ujima Education Office
    The purpose of the Ujima Education Office is to assist African/African American students with their development culturally, educationally, and socially. Retention is the heart of Ujima and recruitment is the natural extension.

Cultural and Resource Centers

  • Asian & Pacific Cultural Center
    Established to provide a fun, safe and welcoming facility for the retention of faculty, staff, and students.
  • Centro Cultural César Chávez
    Established to provide a location and facility for programming various, academic, cultural, recreational and social events related to the Chicano/ Latino/ Hispanic culture and heritage.
  • Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center
    Committed to the retention of African and African American OSU faculty, staff and students as well as all OSU faculty, staff and students of color at OSU.
  • Native American Longhouse
    As a public service center of OSU, the Native American Longhouse exists to provide services and hospitality to students, faculty, staff, the college and, the surrounding community.
  • Pride Center
    Provides programs and support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and inter-sexed members of the OSU faculty, staff and students and their allies.
  • Women's Center
    Offers learning experiences that help women transform themselves and society. Its educational programs reflect the diverse views of women from all walks of life.

Contact Us

Please contact Dan McGrath, Diversity Specialist, with questions, comments, etc.