To:         NDSU All Agricultural Affairs
From:    Greg Lardy, VP for Ag Affairs
Date:    January 9, 2024

One of the goals in the NDSU Agricultural Affairs strategic plan is to celebrate, integrate and embrace the power of diversity. This can be done in many ways, but one way is to serve on the NDSU Agricultural Affairs Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council. The Council’s mission is to promote a system that values differences in meaningful ways to enhance our land grant mission of teaching, research and extension. The benefits of serving a three-year term on the DEI Council include an:

• Opportunity to give input and direction to NDSU Agricultural Affairs on programs and processes which enhance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the system 
• Opportunity to learn about diversity, equity and inclusion during committee meetings as well as programs provided by NDSU and partners 
• Occasion to network and meet other professionals from across the organization to work on the promotion of diversity education 
• Chance to have a voice, help others learn, and broaden your own knowledge 
• Chance to make a difference 
• Opportunity to assist in making an impact toward positive change 
• Opportunity to help engage and meet the needs of all North Dakota residents 

The Council meets quarterly and we are inviting employees affiliated with the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, the Research Extension Center Network, NDSU Extension, and the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources to apply for membership on the Council.  A description of the work of the council is linked here.

If you are interested in serving a three-year term on the Council, please send a short description (1000 characters or less) of your interest in the work of the council including why you think it is important, and send to Janelle.quam@ndsu.edu by Wednesday, January 31. Five new council members will be selected by a working group composed of administrators from across units within Agricultural Affairs. Applications are encouraged that represent the diversity of appointments, roles, backgrounds, and interests of all of our units. Current Council members include Holly Arnold, Elizabeth Cronin, Jim Gray, Mohamed Khan, Febina Mathew, Megan Myrdal, Sue Quamme Wehlander, Julianne Racine, David Ripplinger, Guillermo Scaglia, Madeleine Smith, Jill Sokness, Jan Stankiewicz and Shannon Ueker. 

Thanks for your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Sincerely,

Greg Lardy
Vice President, Agricultural Affairs
North Dakota State University
Gregory.lardy@ndsu.edu

701.231.7660 Office
701.799.7863 Cell