Change Agent States for Diversity
September, 2002 Minutes
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Change Agent States for Diversity September, 2002 Minutes |
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CASD Consortium Meets in North Dakota Members of the CASD project met in North Dakota on September 24-27. We were hosted by the CASD members from North Dakota – Sharon Anderson, Polly Cummins-Chase, Liz Yellowbird Demaray, Sandy Holbrook and Karen Zotz. The meeting began with a Panel presentation by representatives of the 1994 Tribal Land Grant Colleges. The Panelist shared examples of exciting programs and projects taking place with students at their colleges and in the communities. Here is a list of responses to the question of what can be done to support their efforts: 1. Share ideas and goals and say how we got there – what might be short cuts to get to where we are going. The treaties are alive and well. Need to understand what the treaties say. 2. Because of our histories, 1862’s have an abundance of research that we don’t have – they need to share staff, professors, graduate students. 3. Universal – desire to be validated 4. Expertise in staffing the new courses. 5. Try to understand contemporary reservation life. Look at what we have to live with. Climate Assessment Surveys Completed in All 8 States! The CASD project contracted with Dr. Susan Rankin, a Senior Diversity Planning Analyst at The Pennsylvania State University and Senior Research Associate in Rankin & Associates consulting. Dr. Rankin prepared the surveys in partnership with members of the CASD consortium and they were distributed in the Spring. Dr. Rankin has presented and written several papers and one book on the impact of heterosexism in the academy and in intercollegiate athletics. Dr. Rankin's current research focuses on the assessment of institutional climate and providing program planners and policy makers with recommended strategies to improve the institutional climate for underrepresented groups. Sue was very impressed with the return rates of the surveys – our top states were North Dakota with a paper survey and a 93% return rate and Lincoln University with an electronic survey and 86 surveys completed. Sue said “this is the highest return rate of any institution or organization I have worked with.” Again, the Change Agent states used their creativity, persistence and organizational skills to make this a success. JoAnn Powell and Colorado State were the leaders on this component of the CASD framework and USDA supported it with funding through Special Needs grants. States’ diversity coordinators and Catalyst Teams are busy reading their data analysis and creating strategies for disseminating the information throughout their systems.So much more…… New York and Pennsylvania were the first states to set the dates for the regional trainings on leadership development. They will be having their 3 day retreat on June 2-4, 2003. We hear that others are close to a decision. Congratulations! Arizona’s Catalyst Team for winning the colleges Outstanding Team award. CASD appreciates Cornelia Flora, Director of the North Central Regional Rural Development Center, for attending our North Dakota meeting. She was an active participant and great representative of our collaborators. |
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