ETSU’s Office of Equity and Inclusion shared diverse resources last Thursday to spread word about what the campus has to offer its students and staff.
The office is a primary source for students and staff to find services for a wide range of needs for a wide range of individuals. Their mission is: “People come first and are treated with dignity and respect.”
“[We] want to take the lead to really look at all the various entities on campus,” Keith Johnson, vice president for Equity and Inclusion said. “For example – Veteran Affairs, Disability Services, Multicultural Center, Women’s Studies – there’s a host of units on campus that do quite a bit of inclusive activities.”
These services, along with the Counseling Center, gave out information about scholarships, mental health services, accommodating disabled students, support groups, available programs and learning opportunities.
“It’s really to collaborate and bring together all of the efforts on campus, so we can be most effective in creating an environment that is inclusive to learning, teaching, research and just being apart of a greater cause, which is to populate our region with graduates who had a wonderful experience at a university,” Johnson said. “And they are out making a significant difference.”
Students with diverse backgrounds are the primary focus. Finding a community, now, is one of the most influential parts of having a successful college career.
“The goal is that [students] feel a part of ETSU,” Johnson said. “And when a student feels ‘a part of,’ then they have a sense of pride. More than likely if you feel ‘a part of,’ you’re more successful in terms of your grades, your ability to fit in, your ability to connect with students, your ability to work in groups, your ability to complete assignments and projects, etcetera.”
The Office of Equity and Inclusion’s website hosts a section for reporting discrimination and harassment. If you or someone you know needs to utilize this resource visit etsu.edu/equity.
