From the administration
Message from the Administration
It is our distinct pleasure to share our first-ever universitywide strategic plan for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. This Inclusive Excellence Plan (2022-2027) provides a clear and holistic view of equity gaps in our student, faculty, staff and administrative populations and outlines targeted aims and actions for addressing these disparities. As we work to prepare our graduates for a global world, we must recognize that excellence and diversity are not mutually exclusive, but rather one and the same. It is a well-documented fact that diverse teams perform better. As a land-grant university we are charged with being the university for all of the people. Our greatest contribution to society is providing an environment where all learners can thrive, see themselves credibly and bring their whole authentic selves to the pursuit of knowledge and solving the problems of the world.
This five-year plan will provide overarching guidance and direction from which all divisional, departmental and unit plans will be linked together for a unified purpose. Further, the plan provides guidance on equity-minded practices in recruiting students, faculty and staff, as well as our curriculum and administrative policies and procedures. This plan is the result of important work conducted by faculty, staff and students who were appointed to the President’s Commission on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (formerly the President’s Commission on Multicultural Affairs), with input from thousands of stakeholders. The result of their work is outlined in this plan, which has nine institutional aims throughout six thematic areas. The plan also includes identifying the primary areas of responsibility for each aim and it provides baseline data from which we will measure institutional progress. It therefore represents our university’s aim to realize and sustain transformative, institutional change that closes equity gaps and creates a more mutually inclusive K-State.
By leveraging the universitywide plan for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging with divisional, departmental and unit plans, we will enhance transparency and accountability for moving the needle forward on institutional aims. This plan will inform our strategic investments of resources. In addition, through our partnership with the KSU Foundation, we will work tirelessly to realize the resources necessary and sufficient for hitting our targeted aims. As the nation’s first operational land-grant university, we have always valued opportunity for all without regard to race, gender or creed.
This institutional plan will allow our university to be intentional in operationalizing actions and initiatives that bring inclusive excellence to the forefront of everything we do to accomplish our mission. We encourage all our community members to embrace this plan and to do their part to realize a climate characterized by respect and civility. While it is true that diversity will mean differences in perspective, it is equally true that this variety of perspectives are essential for a university.
Richard H. Linton
President
Charles S. Taber
Provost and Executive Vice President
Be Stoney
Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Special thank you for their leadership and contributions:
Richard B. Myers
President Emeritus
Bryan D. Samuel
Former Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer