Message from the Chief Diversity Officer
Dear App State Community,
The inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report has been published on the Office of Diversity website. The 2021-2022 report arrives at a critical juncture for diversity, equity and inclusion work on App State’s campus. We are working to implement recommendations from the UNC System Racial Equity Task Force, Black at App State and various working groups. App State continues to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. And we cannot negate the fierce impact that the dual pandemics of the last few years have had on our campus community.
My office has worked over the past year on multiple programs, initiatives and events in support of the following priorities:
- Ensure the campus is a welcome, safe, diverse and inclusive place.
- Strengthen our recruitment, enrollment and outcome efforts for students.
- Strengthen our recruitment, retention and promotion opportunities for faculty and staff.
This report provides a summary of these efforts, recognizing that this work is continually evolving and full of complexities. The report also provides status updates on the recommendations to campus from the groups mentioned above. This document is not intended to be a finite list of statistics and achievements, but rather a broad reflection of the foundations we continue to build to create lasting change. It is a living document, and our goals will evolve over time. I’d like to give a special thanks to all of those who contributed to this report.
Building a vibrant campus culture through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion is hard work. I’m grateful to each and every person on our campus who has taken a step toward supporting these efforts, whether it’s through leading a program or by attending a workshop with a smile. Appalachian State University is committed to fostering an inclusive, safe and supportive environment for all students, faculty and staff, and every person on our campus is a valued contributor to this mission.
Best Regards,
Jamie Parson, J.D.