Equity, Access & Opportunity

Diversity is differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice, and other human differences (Pathway to Diversity: a Strategic Plan for the Cooperative
Extension System’s Emphasis on Diversity).

Awareness.  As a means of promoting and fostering environments that are welcoming and inclusive of diversity, awareness of how our perceptions, attitudes and actions – both conscious and unconscious – affect our ability to work effectively across differences is key.  While we often believe our actions to be well intentioned, if these are not well informed, they can have a detrimental impact on others, our programs, our organization and ourselves.  In order to enhance our effectiveness and impact, continuously increasing our awareness and understanding is essential.

Communication.  Honest, open communication is an indispensable tool for gaining understanding of and building relationships across differences.  Developing the skills needed to speak consciously can help sharpen our communication skills and impact.   However, when it comes to diversity there is often an inclination to avoid communication about the issue out of discomfort, fear of saying the “wrong” thing, or “not knowing enough”.  In order to address the complexity that comes with diversity we must move beyond our fear and discomfort and develop an open attitude that creates a safe environment and welcomes discussion. 

Find Out More:

• Cornell Cooperative Extension Diversity Initiatives

CCE Diversity and Inclusion Professional Development Team.  The purpose of this team is to assist the CCE with meeting diversity goals related to: workforce diversity, diversification of audiences and program delivery, and full and influential participation of diverse constituents.

National Extension Diveristy Center.  The National Extension Diversity Center is designed as an interconnected web of collaboration linking all land-grant institutions’ diversity efforts.  The center faces such issues as hiring diversity, staff development, reaching audiences, and organizational change.