For the past four years, Unpacking Diversity has conducted a grassroots and self-fundraised campaign to create an intentional space for learning about social justice, diversity, and inclusivity in the geosciences, in CEOAS and the broader OSU campus. Our three keynote events and 14 facilitated seminars have enriched the campus dialogue around inclusion and anti-racism and have been attended by more than 600 students/staff/faculty/affiliates representing over 22 institutions. Our efforts were recognized by the President’s Commission on the Status of Women in 2020 with their Community Builder award, and two of our members are now invited Fellows of the CDLS at UCLA.
Our self-organized leadership team has carried the burden of this community enrichment program and its fundraising efforts while simultaneously engaging in our own rigorous research and scholarly work - an unfortunate and common example of Women of Color doing the work on behalf of their organizations.
Moving forward, Unpacking Diversity will continue to expand our reach on the national level by engaging our institutional partners and scientific societies. As a result, Unpacking Diversity, effective immediately, will no longer be organizing events at the OSU/CEOAS level. This email address (unpackingdiversity.ceoas@gmail.com) will remain active, and we encourage any students to reach out with any future inquiries or requests.
We appreciate those who have engaged with us over these past four years. If you have valued our contributions, the best way to continue this work is to amplify our Demands for Change that were presented to leadership, and hold leadership accountable for change.
In solidarity,
The Unpacking Diversity Professional Learning Community