December 1, 2022 Edition

December hosts a broad collection of unique and special holidays. No matter how you celebrate, DEI wants to ensure the College is cognitive of all cultures and heritages. So as you gather with your friends and families please keep in mind this month has a deep significance for all. This December, DEI challenges you to understand the complex differences and similarities in the different Holidays. Please, click below to read more about these holidays, and don't forget to have a Happy New Year!

December 01, 2022, Rosa Parks' Day

Rosa Parks Day is celebrated in the U.S. on December 1 to honor Rosa Parks, the brave civil rights activist. Her contributions have been most impactful to the movement, but her most famous incident is her refusal to give up her seat on a bus she was commuting on. Her headstrong persona is an inspiration to all, and the day promotes civil rights, and equal rights and opportunities for all communities across the country. The event is marked by events and activities arranged by organizations, government leaders, and church figures.

Region V conference for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural and Related Sciences

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with support from the College hosted the Region V conference for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural and Related Sciences (MANRRS) on November 4-5, 2022. MANRRS is a national organization that pledges to foster the advancement and achievement of ethnic minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.  Dr. Kathy Lechman and Dr. Tiffany Halsell from the DEI office were pleased to welcome 210 attendees from 10 peer institutions including, Michigan State, Purdue, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of Wisconsin-Madison, to Columbus in support of the conference theme: “Collaborate, Cultivate, Motivate”

In collaboration with Hannah Zimmerman and the CFAES Ambassadors, students were able to tour the campus and learn more about the ways in which we sustain life. Dean Kress opened the conference on Friday with an inspiring speech about the power one person can hold to change the world of agriculture through innovation and collaboration. Saturday brought a series of workshops including a presentation from the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions and ample opportunities to network with representatives from MANRRS partners including Bayer US, Cargill, Elanco, Dairy Farmers of America, John Deer & Company, and Land O’Lakes. Kayla Arnold, Graduate Education Program Manager, Dr. Cara Lawson, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communication, and Dr. Shannon Washburn, Chair, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership were on hand to meet with prospective students about CFAES programs and opportunities.

This conference serves as the precursor to the larger national conference which will be held in Atlanta, Ga, April 13-16. The DEI office will travel to the conference with a group of students. If any departments would like to send representatives to the conference, please contact Tiffany Halsell at halsell.5@osu.edu to discuss details.

First Gen Students at Wooster Pop with Success!

On November 10^th 65 CFAES students, faculty, and staff participated in the First Gen Student Celebration at the Wooster CFAES campus, an annual event coordinated by the ATI First Generation Student Celebration Committee (Kelly Carmack and Leslie Eisberg). This year’s theme was “First-Gen Students Pop with Success!” Guests were treated to a popcorn bar and invited to create a unique combination of popcorn and toppings. The goal of the event is to highlight First Gen students’ strengths and perspectives as well as raise awareness for faculty and staff to show how they can best support First Gen students. Many First Gen students wore “I’m First” buttons to show their pride in being the first in their family to go to college. This year, First Gen Ally buttons were created and distributed to broaden the base of support and excitement for their First Gen peers. Special guests from CFAES Wooster along with Columbus CFAES First Gen partners from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion brought their diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to the variety of First Gen voices. The event was well received by students, and they felt honored to have a day set aside to celebrate their successes. Many exclaimed, “Wow! You went all out for us!” We look forward to growing the event as we continue to celebrate First Generation college students and all they achieve.    

Featuring Action Council member: Suzanne Ferencak

This month's spotlight features Suzanne Ferencak who is a retiring Action Council Member. All members of the DEI team would like to thank her for all her hard work and drive over the last two years of her term. She loves engaging in DEI work because she finds it important as an employee at an educational institution to take advantage of all the resources we have here and to learn about other cultures and points of view so that we have a greater understanding of our co-workers and the constituencies we serve.

The CFAES Office of DEI is excited to showcase involved individuals working to further inclusion in their fields. To learn more about how Suzanne is involved in DEI click below to read the rest of her spotlight!

Have someone else great for the DEI Faculty and Staff Spotlight?

 Please fill out this form.

For a full list of our Autumn and Spring 2022-23 webinars, please visit our

professional development webinars page.

Bystander Intervention: Practicing Intervention Strategies

LOCATION: Zoom

DATES AND TIMES: Tuesday, Dec. 6th, 2022, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

All too often we witness subtle comments or behaviors rooted in bias that cause harm to others, sometimes unintentionally and frequently directed toward people from marginalized social identity groups. Have you ever witnessed a bias incident such as a microaggression and wanted to intervene, but didn't know what to say or do? Becoming an active bystander involves recognizing a bias incident and saying or doing something to stop the harm. Anyone can become an active bystander and learn to address bias in everyday interactions. In this 90-minute workshop, we will explore some of the most commonly encountered expressions of bias and identify tools participants can use to interrupt bias in daily life. Participants will practice what they have learned using real-life scenarios.

Workshop: Inclusive and Equitable Hiring Practices

LOCATION: Zoom

DATES AND TIMES: Thursday, Dec. 8th, 2022, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Microaggressions are common, often subtle expressions of bias, many times initiated unintentionally and unconsciously that can have serious impacts on recipients including shortening life expectancy. In this 90-minute workshop, participants will learn about common microaggressions and the hidden, harmful messages they send. Participants will practice differentiating intention from impact using real-life scenarios. Finally, participants will be provided with strategies for responding to being called out/in for being the microaggression initiator.

Books for Universal Human Rights Month

To help honor Universal Human Rights Month, we’ve created a recommended reading list that includes some of our books that touch on human rights for various different groups of people.

Universal Human Rights Month Books Penguin random house

We have provided a book list to assist in educating on the importance of human rights.

Stand Up for Human Rights, 75th Anniversary

Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This website will help build your knowledge of how to promote human rights.

Universal Human Rights Month Timeline

Use this resource to better understand the complexities and growth of this Month.

The United Nations' Site on UHRM

The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on 10 December 2023. Ahead of this milestone, starting on this year's Human Rights Day on 10 December 2022, we will launch a year-long campaign to showcase the UDHR by focusing on its legacy, relevance, and activism.

Holiday Guide

Better understand the details of the different holidays.

Another Holiday Guide

December is a month of multicultural holiday celebrations. A few months present the multicultural moments that December showcases.

Facts about the Winter Solstice

A page was created to highlight facts about this day in December.

Facts and Myths about Rosa Parks

This website is a starting place for understanding and appreciating Rosa Parks.

Pearl Harbor Resource

A page curated by the National Parks to honor the memory and importance of this holiday for many families across the Nation and World. 

National Today On Pearl Harbor

A website dedicated to exploring the holidays and their importance.

Center for Belonging and

Social Change 

Home Page

Event Calendar

Meetings: Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Contact: Halsell.5@osu.edu for more information. 

Student Org.           National Website

All meetings will take place in Howlett Hall Room 139

Future Editions of the DEI Newsletter

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