Communication is crucial to the advancement of all themes of MSU’s Diversity and Inclusion Framework. Through effective communication of MSU’s diversity efforts, individuals may be exposed to new perspectives, find opportunities to engage with those who are different from themselves, and experience a community that is representative of a range of identities. By celebrating and making visible the achievements of the diverse students, faculty, and staff within our university, we communicate our institutional commitments to equity and inclusion. This year we presented grants and awards to those working on inclusion efforts and developed resources to support clear communication of our inclusive values.

Land Acknowledgements

Because land acknowledgments are context-specific, MSU does not have a single university-approved statement. However, a working group of knowledgeable faculty and staff created a guide to land acknowledgments to help those interested design meaningful and appropriate statements of their own.

MANRRS chapter

After graduate students and faculty attended the national Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) conference, a MANRRS chapter was established on campus, housed within the College of Agriculture.

Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Education Series

The Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Education offered a language and story exchange series, highlighting MSU community members’ personal stories tied to multi-lingual and multi-cultural journeys.

IndigenEyes

IndigenEyes videographer, Haley Rains, photographing Louis Still Smoking’s mural at Heart Butte School. The School of Art received a $50,000 grant to create a multimedia website showcasing contemporary Native American art. The grant was written by Jennifer Woodcock-Medicine Horse, adjunct instructor of art history, and in collaboration with the Little Shell Tribe.

 

$20K

was dedicated by the MSU Alumni Foundation for their Diversity Seed Grant Program. These funds went to registered student organizations whose work was making an outsized impact in supporting underrepresented groups at MSU and beyond.


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days of events in April were organized by ASMSU and the Office of the President celebrating the Week of Belonging. From a resource fair to a teach-in, activities provided a chance to learn, express, and find support.


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individuals received the 2023 President’s Award for Gender Equity for their work to improve gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion issues. Recipients were faculty member Bryce Hughes, and students Katrina Lyon, Olivia Gervacio Jakabosky, and Madelyn Cortes.