2026 State of Inclusive Excellence
Through our student center, event programming we are dedicated to providing support for students and fostering a strong sense of belonging on campus. We achieve this by organizing events throughout the year, conferences within the Cascades Leadership Institute and through our student inclusion center on campus.
Our efforts aim to enhance access, opportunity, inclusion or participation for groups who have historically faced barriers, which is achieved by providing students with resources and along with events and affinity group meetings that support them. These initiatives create valuable opportunities for individuals to connect with peers and build a sense of community in their campus.
Our program integrates community partnerships by organizing collaborative events, sharing their resources within our center as well as through collaborative workshops and seminars within the Cascades Leadership Institute. These all help share diverse perspectives and mentorship.
Our efforts reflect OSU's land grant mission of public service, education and community impact through providing students access to community and campus resources that support their success, while also creating a welcoming student center to comfortably study, relax and connect with peers as well with our affinity groups. Additionally, through the Cascades Leadership Institute, we provide students with opportunities to learn from faculty and community partners, enriching their academic journey.
Our team supports student success, learning pathways and cultivating a sense of belonging through providing resources from community partners and campus. As well as with free printing and snacks resources within our center. Additionally, through our center, it serves as a welcoming space for students to feel comfortable to be themselves in and engage in their studies. Through, our conferences we provide further opportunities for students to engage with faculty and community partners.
Some strategies we use to ensure our work is inclusive, culturally responsive, or grounded in the lived experiences through our community partnerships and engagement with our affinity groups. As well as through our heritage and history month events, and conferences within the Cascades Leadership Institute which offers workshops and seminars that highlight diverse experiences, allowing participants to learn from community or faculty perspectives and share their own as well.
I have observed impacts so far for individuals, communities, or the broader OSU ecosystem through our commitment of providing a variety of events such as those recognizing heritage and history months, etc, and by maintaining a student center with free resources for students such as printing or snacks. Through this we have fostered a sustainable community. This engagement has cultivated connections amongst students, further creating a sense of community and belonging.
Our recognition within our campus reflects our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging within our campus, whether through our student center or various events, we are dedicated to making an environment where all students feel supported. We strive to organize events that help students engage and learn more about their campus community and resources offered to them.
What gives me hope and what future opportunities do I see advancing inclusive excellence is by further creating more access to resources for students within our center or through our events/conferences.
