Here is a new set of resources from ChangeLab Solutions that you may find useful. "In rural communities across the United States, increasing meaningful participation in the policymaking process for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) while decreasing place, race, and class divides is essential to achieving prosperity. Adding to their suite of resources for increasing racial justice and equitable economic development in rural America, ChangeLab has released two new...

by Ana Lucia Fonseca In a rapidly evolving world, where diversity is celebrated, and inclusivity is championed, the role of extension programs has taken on a new level of significance. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader, I am excited to shed light on the crucial work to ensure that extension programs are at the forefront of fostering an inclusive environment that empowers individuals from all walks of life. Embracing Diversity: A Source of Strength The essence of extension...

A recent article (Link) from the opinion section of EdSurge discusses the importance of Black students having Black teachers. While written from the view of formal education, this discussion has great relevance for the Cooperative Extension Service as we examine whether or not our youth/adult clients, staff, and faculty are able to find "cultural mirrors" within our systems. What can Extension learn from the approach used in this article? What efforts are in place to mitigate bias in the...

Nice post, Mark! By habit, many LGUs include "prior Extension experience" as a desired qualification. At one LGU, candidates who indicated they had no Extension experience were rejected by the automated screening process. Its important we have intimate knowledge of ourHR systems to proactively address unintended bias.

This article, focused on the surge in online education in tribal colleges, offers thoughtful discussion on how educators balance the convenience and accessibility with online access versus the social, cultural, and collaborative benefits of in-person education. https://hechingerreport.org/a-little-noticed-drawback-to-online-college-cultural-and-social-isolation/ *Accompanying image is from the referenced article. Photo caption is "Students Tim James, left, and Sky Johnson share a lunch table...

An interesting and powerful visual presentation on the history of school segregation in the USA. https://hechingerreport.org/school-segregation-a-visual-timeline/ *Image shared is adapted from the website posting.

Many states have enacted legislation that directs how conversations about topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion can be approached in educational environments. This article explores the impact this has had on classroom teachers. How has your educational program in extension (or other organizations) been impacted by state legislation? https://www.brookings.edu/articles/7-takeaways-on-how-teachers-are-reacting-to-restrictions-on-discussing-race-and-gender/ *The attached image is...

(From Inside Higher Education) T he rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) has been, unequivocally, a mess. Inside Higher Ed has reported on every beat in the debacle , from the first signs of concern in 2022 to the lingering completion gap that threatens to undermine years of college-access progress. ... (link to rest of the article) . * Associated image was generated and vetted by the author using Microsoft CoPilot generative AI.