College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

The Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in its classrooms, academic networks and workplaces.

Areas of Focus:

Mental health

• MSU Employee Assistance Program (EAP)- https://eap.msu.edu/
• Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)- https://caps.msu.edu/index.html
  • Therapy Groups- https://caps.msu.edu/services/groups/therapygroups.html
    • Anxiety & Mindfulness
    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Severe & Persistent Mental Illness
    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Group
    • Mind in MInd (MiM)
  • Support Groups
    • Bipolar Support Group
    • CBT for ADHD Support, Skills, and Resources
    • Body Image & Eating Concerns Support Group
    • Graduate Student Support Group
    • Grief Group
    • In Transition- Graduate Support
    • International Student Support Group
    • Latino/x/e Wellness & Connections
    • Living with Chronic Illness
  • Identity Groups
    • Black Women’s Support Group
    • Beyond the Binary
    • Empower U
    • Gender Identity & Attractionality (GIAA) Undergrad Group
    • Gender Identity & Attractionality (GIAA) Grad
•  
• PSSB Counselor- Tuesdays 2:30-4:30pm
  • Kathleen O'Shea, Ph.D., LLP, Postdoctoral Resident (CAPS)-osheaka1@msu.edu
  • Undergraduate & Graduate Students appointment scheduling- https://caps.msu.edu/services/CAPSConnect.html
  • Staff & Faculty can reach out to Kathleen directly at osheaka1@msu.edu
  • Walkins welcome as space allows

Neurodivergence

• • Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities- https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/
  • MSU Autism Lab- https://autismlab.psy.msu.edu/

Gender issues

• • The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center- (https://gscc.msu.edu/) has many resources for faculty, staff and TAs that outlines issues regarding promising practices surrounding pronouns, inclusive language, syllabi, in class discussions, assignments, and more.
  • Student organization TransAction: wixsite.com/transaction

Academic/workplace hierarchy

• • The Dynamics & Influence, Trust, & Power Have in Community-Academic Partnerships- https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/The+Dynamics+and+Influence+Trust+and+Power+Have+in+Community-Academic+Partnerships/1_vxi4qcod/11980461

How to navigate political differences

• • Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center-https://www.difficultdialogues.org/webinars

Veteran considerations

• • Student Veterans Resource Center- https://veterans.msu.edu/

Non-visible/invisible disabilities

• • MSU Disability Pride Guide- https://inclusion.msu.edu/campus-resources/disability-pride.html

Religious discrimination/information- Antisemitism, Islamophobia- Brian

• • MSU Dialogues- https://inclusion.msu.edu/education/msu-dialogues.html
  • Conversations on Antisemitism and Islamophobia- 2025 dates TBD

LGBTQ+

• The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center- https://gscc.msu.edu/
• QUEST - Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion (Offered to PSM in 2022)
  • https://gscc.msu.edu/education/quest.html
• Consultations to assist with LGBTQIA2S+ identities and inclusion for faculty, staff, employees, departments, units, and groups at Michigan State University.
  • https://gscc.msu.edu/education/consultation.html
• Days of observance
  • https://gscc.msu.edu/education/observances.html
• Incorporating Dialogue Into the Workplace

Background on DEI in PSM, CANR and MSU:

• PSM Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2017)
• DEI Demographic Data for Undergraduate and Graduate Students (2000 – 2020)
• CANR Diversity Survey Findings (2007)
• CANR Office of Diversity and Pluralism Structured Conversations Report (2006)
• CANR Office of Diversity and Pluralism Structured Discussion Group Key Findings (2006)
• MSU KNOW MORE@MSU Campus Climate Survey (2019)

Some external resources include:

• MSU resources on DEI:
  • DEI Library Guide: https://libguides.lib.msu.edu/dei_resources
  • Office of the President:
    • DEI Plan: https://president.msu.edu/initiatives/dei-plan/index.html
    • Vision for the future: https://president.msu.edu/initiatives/dei-plan/about.html

• Office of Institutional Equity: https://oie.msu.edu/
• Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance: https://civilrights.msu.edu/
• Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives: https://inclusion.msu.edu/index.html
  • I3 & IDEA Coordinators Programming: https://inclusion.msu.edu/education/IDEA-Coordinators-Programming.html
  • MSU Dialogues: https://inclusion.msu.edu/education/intercultural-dialogue1.html
• College of Agriculture and Natural Resources DEI: https://www.canr.msu.edu/diversity/about/dei
• Center for Regional Food Systems: https://www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/about/racial-equity-statement
• How to report misconduct
  • MSU's Misconduct Hotline: https://misconduct.msu.edu/

• Professional and disciplinary organizations:
  • Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS):
    • National organization: https://www.manrrs.org/
    • MSU MANRRS chapter: https://www.canr.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/student_organizations/minorities-in-agriculture-natural-resources-and-related-sciences
  • American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES): https://www.aises.org/
  • Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): https://www.sacnas.org/
  • Green Latinos: http://www.greenlatinos.org/
  • Earth Science Women's Network: https://eswnonline.org/
    
    
• MSU summer programs for underrepresented groups:
• Multicultural Apprenticeship Program  (MAP) 
• Agriculture and Natural Resources Institute for Multicultural Students (AIMS) 
• Agriculture and Natural Resources Institute for Multicultural Students - Bilingual  (AIMS-B) 
• Michigan Indian Leadership Program (MILP)