Welcome to the 2023 State of Diversity at Oregon State University
The State of Diversity at Oregon State University provides an annual opportunity to highlight initiatives led by OSU community members across the university advancing equity and justice.
This year's State of Diversity features interviews with students, faculty, staff and community partners engaged in innovative teaching, research and engagement efforts.
In 2018, the Office of Institutional Diversity launched Oregon State’s first comprehensive diversity strategic plan, Innovate & Integrate: Plan for Inclusive Excellence. Designed around five key goals, these interviews reflect the university’s progress in each area.
WELCOME FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Scott A. Vignos, J.D. introduces the 2023 State of Diversity at Oregon State.
GOAL 1: INTEGRATE AND ADVANCE INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE WITHIN ALL ASPECTS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
ADA31 Recommendations and the Disability Justice Framework
In recognition of the 31st anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Provost Ed Feser charged the ADA31 Task Force to survey policies and programs at Oregon State to support compliance with the ADA and to make recommendations to advance more inclusive community for disabled individuals.
A final report was published in December 2022 and implementation of recommendations developed by the task force are underway. Development of the OSU Disability Justice Framework supports the task force's recommendation to increase awareness and understanding of non-apparent and invisible disabilities, including those related to mental health.
Libia Marqueza Castro
Ph.D. candidate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Gabriel Merrell
Director, Access and Affirmative Action
Deputy ADA Coordinator
Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
Equity Reforms in College of Health
The College of Health is one of seven institutions nationwide to receive a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to implement reforms to make public health and academic programs more equitable and inclusive.
Supported by the grant, the College of Health's strategic plan aims to implement positive changes in education, research and community engagement, with the goal to redress systemic inequities, eliminate health disparities and foster a more equitable and diverse environment for students, faculty, staff and communities.
OSU-Cascades Edge, Equitable Career Readiness
OSU-Cascades will launch OSU-Cascades Edge in the Fall of 2023. Centering equity and access, the program aims to ensure that all students from all backgrounds have equal access to career development opportunities necessary for career readiness after graduation.
By integrating career education into the curriculum of incoming students through graduation, OSU-Cascades Edge aims to bridge the gap between education and employment for marginalized students, fostering a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
Think Affordable Summit and University Affordability Efforts
Developed by Ecampus and the Office of Academic Affairs, the Think Affordable Summit was a one-day summit aimed at exploring ways to improve college affordability. Attendees learned from a diverse range of speakers from Oregon State, and state policy makers, on cost-reduction strategies to alleviate the financial burden of obtaining a college degree. The Summit highlighted affordability initiatives underway across OSU to lessen the financial barrier to obtaining a college education.
GOAL 2: IMPROVE RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.
Extension Services Language Access Strategy
As Oregon's land grant institution, the university has a unique responsibility to offer trusted expertise and science-based knowledge to address critical community issues and support the well-being of every Oregonian. To ensure access to this information, OSU Extension and Engagement developed a language access strategy so more Oregonians can get information in the language they need to live healthy lives, nurture the state's ecosystems and actively contribute to Oregon's vibrant communities.
Graduate Summer Step Program
This summer, the Graduate School will host the first Graduate Summer Step program, a two-and-a-half-day, pre-fall term event aimed at supporting newly admitted, domestic graduate students who identify with historically marginalized communities.
The goal of this innovative program is to assist graduate students in navigating and acclimating to Oregon State, networking with faculty and peers and beginning to develop skills, knowledge and identity to succeed as graduate scholars.
Educational Opportunities Program and College Possible Partnership
The Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) and College Possible, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering students from historically under-invested communities to attend college, have formed a new partnership to promote college access and success for historically marginalized students.
This collaboration creates a seamless transition of support for incoming Oregon State students, who were part of College Possible in high school, by connecting them to EOP services and a College Success Coach upon their arrival to OSU.
GOAL 3: CREATE AN INCLUSIVE UNIVERSITY CLIMATE TO SUPPORT THE RETENTION AND SUCCESS OF ALL STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.
Creation of Black Mental Health Services
After the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, students called upon Oregon State to develop better supports for the mental health of Black and African-American students.
In summer 2021, following a nationwide search, Oregon State’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) hired two Coordinators of Black & African-American Student Mental Health & Wellness. Since then, Ireti DeBato-Cancel and Chanale Propst have expanded mental health services and programs for Black and African-American students providing culturally responsive programs aimed at ensuring students get the support they need to be successful at OSU.
Establishment of the President's Commission on Indigenous Affairs
The President’s Commission on Indigenous Affairs (PCIA) was established in Summer 2022 with a vision to Indigenize and decolonize the teaching, research and engagement missions of Oregon State.
The Commission works in collaboration with university leaders, Indigenous university community members and stakeholders to ensure that Native and Indigenous strategic initiatives move forward, while addressing the current needs of students, faculty and staff Indigenous to the Americas and Pacific Islands.
Leonardo Fund for Housing Insecure Students
In collaboration with the OSU Foundation & Alumni Association and the Pride Center, alum Judy Faucett, '70, established the first scholarship in the College of Science specifically for students engaged with the LGBTQ+ community at Oregon State experiencing homelessness or other extenuating circumstances after learning LGBTQ+ students make up roughly 10 percent of the student population, but account for 25 to 50 percent of the homeless student population.
The OSU Foundation & Alumni Association are committed to building a more equitable and diverse university by raising external funds that propel Oregon State to its highest aspirations of an inclusive university. In the last year, the Foundation has successfully engaged in fundraising efforts to support basic needs insecurity, faculty recruitment, diversity in STEM, emergency scholarships and various efforts that address barriers to access.
GOAL 4: PROVIDE INNOVATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES ENABLING ALL STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES TO ADVANCE INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE.
Transformational Learning for CAMP Scholars
The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) supports the success and persistence of students from migrant and seasonal farm worker backgrounds by supporting through tutoring, mentoring, advising, financial support and other wrap around support services.
CAMP offers a variety of transformational learning opportunities for participating scholars including the CAMP Scholar Internships, internship placement with state senators in Washington, D.C. and opportunities to attend conferences around the country. In 2023, CAMP attended the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) in Chicago providing invaluable opportunities for learning and connection.
High School Equivalency Program
The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) is a federally-funded program designed for migrant and seasonal farmworkers or their children to obtain a high school equivalent diploma (GED) and continue to postsecondary or training programs. Unlike other HEP programs, Oregon State provides a unique 3-month residential experience that leads to a transformative learning experience. Students who participate in HEP at OSU experience campus life and receive wrap around support over the course of the term.
After three years of holding virtual cohorts, HEP is welcoming their first cohort back on campus for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
WGSS & HRWGC 50th Anniversary
Oregon State’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) program and the Hattie Redmond Women & Gender Center (HRWGC) celebrated 50 years in 2023 with a series of workshops, lectures and celebratory events.
One of the first programs and centers of their kind in the United States, WGSS and the HRWGC have supported students through innovative pedagogy and scholarship contributing to social change and justice at OSU and in broader society. The impact of alumni from these programs locally, throughout the state and around the world are far reaching and profound.
GOAL 5: COMMUNICATE OREGON STATE'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INITIATIVES AND INNOVATIONS AS THE UNIVERSITY ADVANCES INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE.
Taking Action
The annual State of Diversity at Oregon State Address provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on partners across Oregon State and the greater community, acknowledging achievements and advancements in inclusive excellence. We encourage all OSU community members to share these stories in your community networks.
Also check out Taking Action, the biannual magazine of the Office of Institutional Diversity. View full issues, read featured stories and sign up to receive future editions on our website.
2023 Diversity Research Reception
Highlighting and celebrating the research at OSU promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Research and scholarship at Oregon State contributes to a more equitable and sustainable future. The 2023 Diversity Research Reception resulted in over 60 publication submissions on topics related to equity and broader societal impacts that contribute to a more just future.
Submissions were welcomed from OSU faculty members who published peer-reviewed articles, books or book chapters within the last 12 months (July 2022-June 2023).
2023 Diversity Research Submissions
2023 STATE OF DIVERSITY AT OREGON STATE RECEPTION
A reception was held May 30 in the MU Horizon Room on the Corvallis Campus celebrating the release of the 2023 address. It featured remarks from President Jayathi Y. Murthy and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Scott Vignos, plus lightning talks for select programs from their representatives.
We look forward to being in community with you again next year!
SPECIAL THANKS IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE 2023 STATE OF DIVERSITY AT OREGON STATE ADDRESS
- Video editing: Rohan Bukka - Third Year, Business Information Systems
- Photos: Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center
- Production assistance: UIT Media Services - Brendan Brucker, Eric Gleske and Ashley Peterson
- Recording space: Diversity and Cultural Engagement
- Additional video recording: OSU-Cascades, Community Relations & Marketing