The College of Agricultural Sciences hosted “Come to the Table! Building an Equitable and Inclusive College Together” earlier this month at CSU’s Lory Student Center. The event, the first of its kind for the college, was attended by a packed audience, which at times was standing room only.
“One thing that’s important for the College of Ag Sciences and for agriculture in general is that we welcome people to the table, and that we join conversations around their table, so that we can have a successful future,” says interim dean James Pritchett.
A key pillar in the college’s strategic plan, diversity and inclusivity is crucial to the future of agriculture, as diverse challenges in the industry require diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
The event was headlined by keynote speaker Nita Mosby Tyler, founder and CEO of The Equity Project, who led the audience in an interactive exploration of diversity, equity and the challenges of addressing those issues.
“Inclusion really is about belongingness,” notes Mosby Tyler. “We really do want each one of you to feel like there’s a place for you in this college and at this university. And if there’s anything about the system or behaviors that don’t let people feel like they belong, whatever the reason is, then we still have work to do. That’s what inclusion is all about.”
Watch the full keynote speech here: