Presented by Dr. Meredith Weinstein, NC State Extension Evaluation & Accountability.

Meredith Weinstein joined NCACES at the 2021 Winter meeting to highlight the ways our two institutions collaborate around our shared value the diversity within our partner organizations, employment of our staff, and equal opportunity and non-discrimination to all citizens seeking to participate in our programs.

To uphold those values, the two universities have worked together to develop a joint commitment from leadership and non-discrimination statement under the N.C. Cooperative Extension brand. Additionally, the two universities have worked together to provide training to employees to ensure shared messaging, develop shared tools and resources on civil rights policies and procedures, and develop shared resources for limited English proficiency policy and resources.

These training sessions and resources are found on the Evaluation Extension website under Civil Rights. Slides from Meredith’s presentation are available.

Each University is held accountable to their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by federal legislation that the USDA uses to ensure we are living up to our values. Over the next two years, each University will go through a Civil Rights Audit by USDA-NIFA to ensure that we are meeting our goals. Updates will be provided as there is more information.