Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Respect

The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences (ANSC) at the University of Maryland is committed to providing student education, fostering discovery through research, and promoting sustainable growth of Maryland’s animal industries in a Departmental environment and climate that values the tenets of diversity, equity, inclusion and respect (DEIR).

ANSC DEIR News & Announcements

1. Departmental Seminar/Workshop Series:

  • The DEIR Committee invited AGNR Diversity Officer Amanda Shaffer to conduct a diversity-focused workshop titled "THE SELF: Self-Awareness & Cultural Awareness." This April session was the first of six-sessions of DEIR Education curriculum and covered topics such as implicit bias, cultural identity, and cultural humility.
  • The committee is currently planning subsequent workshops to ensure that our department can progress through the entire curriculum and earn our certification at the end.

AGNR SEIR 1-pager

2. Poster presentation at the 2024 ANSC Annual Research Symposium:

  • The ANSC DEIR Committee presented their poster, along with plans and the year-end report for 2023-2024, at the 2024 ANSC Annual Research Symposium.

ANSC DEIR Poster

Animal and Avian Sciences DEIR Strategic Plan:

ANSC DEIR Plan

The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences DEIR strategic plan is not expected to be a static, written-in-stone document, but should evolve as ANSC integrates DEIR principles into its research, teaching and extension activities. The ad hoc DEIR ANSC Committee proposes the following activities to work towards:

  • Goal 1 – CULTURE: Develop a departmental environment and climate that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion with respect for all.

  • Goal 2 – PEOPLE: Recruit, retain, and develop a diverse community within DEIR (faculty, staff, students).

  • Goal 3 – PROGRAMS: Provide programs to underserved, underrepresented, and/or socially and economically disadvantaged audiences (partnerships and knowledge). Under development.

  • Goal 4 – SUPPORTS: ANSC engagement with activities beyond the ANSC Department. Under development.

ANSC DEIR Suggestion Box

ANSC DEIR Suggestion Box – This form enables you can interact with ANSC DEIR activities with the ability to remain anonymous or followed up with, if you choose:

ANSC DEIR Suggestion Box 

Note: If you are looking to report a DEIR bias incident, please work through the UMD Office of Diversity & inclusion Bias Incident Support Services here: https://diversity.umd.edu/bias.

Additional Resources:

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources DEIR Plan:

AGNR DEIR Plan

Mission: AGNR embodies the university's land-grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger and malnutrition, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education. The AGNR DEIR mission is to become a diverse college where all individuals are equally welcomed, included, and respected for their differences.

Vision: Our vision is to incorporate DEIR efforts in all AGNR college-wide and the unit level strategic and operational efforts so that it becomes a seamless and a common element in planning, programming, and employment. As the cornerstone college of the University of Maryland we further see our college taking a leadership role among land-grant institutions as we meet the needs of all people by our authentic commitment to equity, inclusion, and respect.

Goals: The DEIR plan includes four primary goals

  1. Foster a college that respects diversity and encourages equity and inclusion.
  2. Recruit, retain, and develop a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.
  3. Provide AGNR programs to underserved, underrepresented, and/or socially and economically disadvantaged audiences.
  4. Communication and Information Technology support to increase access and engagement with AGNR programs and DEIR initiatives.

Additional Information & Links:

UMD Organizations:

Opportunities for DEIR-Related Awards and Fellowships: