October 6, 2020
The Diversity Programs Office Update
Welcome to October and the fall! The leaves are changing to beautiful colors and there is a crispness in the air for a new season. Even during the COVID-19 health pandemic, the Diversity Programs Office (DPO) has been busy and representing programs for healthy, inclusive and safe places. We are successful because of your support.
We ended September by hosting our first College of Ag student leader diversity workshop. Our student leader groups sometimes have the first contact with our incoming students, and we want them to gain cultural competency as they represent us all. The student groups represented were the College of Ag Ambassadors, Ag Student Council, Ag Senators and the K-State Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter. The MANRRS Chapter president is Maria Kimzey, Ag Economics major. Mr. Carl Butler, USDA - Team Lead with Civil Rights, facilitated the Diversity centered workshop.
October kicked off with the College of Agriculture’s Diversity committee meeting with the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Dr. Bryan Samuel. The committee has been very busy discussing action steps for our college for the betterment of the college’s students, faculty and staff.
Congratulations to the K-State MANRRS Chapter that participated in the first virtual 2020 Regions 4, 5, and 6 clusters meeting. We had a nine student delegation who represented us well. Raymond Thomas served as the National MANRRS Region 3 & 4 Graduate VP, and Lonnie Hobbs, Jr. served as the chapter co-advisor. Dr. Zilia Wiley is the chapter advisor. We are pleased to announce that our delegation swept the region 4 contests. So proud of our students! The K-State MANRRS Chapter delegation and contest winners are below.
1. Ana Lorett, Animal Sciences & Industry (ASI)
2. Akayla Calhoun, ASI
3. Selena Giloyt, ASI major and FIRST PLACE Elevator speech contest
4. Breinna Walker, ASI
5. Lonnie Hobbs, Jr., Ag Economics PhD Student
6. Raymond Thomas, Ag Economics, PhD Student
7. Jordan Bailey, ASI with an Ag Business option and SECOND PLACE Impromptu Speaking contest
8. Jenika Hazelbaker, Agronomy major and FIRST PLACE Interview contest
9. Sanders Barbee, Ag Economics with Pre-Law option
Each contest winner will compete at the National MANRRS Conference in 2020 whether it is virtual or in person in Atlanta, GA celebrating over 35 years as the national society. Thank you all for your participation in the K-State MANRRS Chapter.
Please join us as we observe and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15- October 15, 2020). TODAY, October 6, 2020, the 14th annual Midwest HALO Encuentro will be presented hybrid manner. It is sponsored by the Kansas State University, Office of Student Life Diversity Multicultural Student Affairs (DMSA), Kansas Department of Children and Families, Koch Industries and the Hispanic American Leadership Organization K-State Chapter. In the past we have hosted over 500 students from Kansas High Schools and Community colleges. The goal of the Encuentro is to provide an environment for all students with emphasis on the Hispanic/Latino/Mexican American students who can learn about the unexpected challenges they may encounter during their collegiate years, how to overcome those challenges and attain their educational goals. We hope you can support this event for we will have several College of Ag students involved. Please visit the link to learn of the great speakers and events. The tentative schedule and flyer are below. Here is the link: https://www.k-state.edu/diversity/life/events/encuentro/.
Tentative Schedule
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Check-In
9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Welcome
9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Keynote Address
10:30 – 10:40 a.m. Transition to Breakout Sessions
10:40 – 11:25 a.m. Break Out Session 1
11:30 – 12:15 p.m. Break Out Session 2
12:15 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45 - 1:30 p.m. Student Panel
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Closing Remarks, Surveys and T-Shirt Distribution
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Tour with New Student Services Ambassadors
Please direct any questions you might have to our Director of Multicultural Programs & Services, Mirta Chavez, at 785-532-6276 or mirta@k-state.edu; or Project Coordinator, Caitlyn Wells, at caiwel@k-state.edu.
The office would like to say a huge thanks to all the students, faculty, and other persons who have supported and helped us with our events over the past few weeks. Let’s stay safe and healthy! For every Wildcat is a Wellcat!
For more information on future events, please contact Dr. Wiley’s email, zwiley@ksu.edu, or the DPO at 785-532-5793.