Diversity and Inclusion

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources supports the University of Georgia’s core values with respect to diversity and inclusion. We strive to create an environment of acceptance and respect in which all students, faculty, staff, and visitors feel welcomed and included. Our vision is of a School that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming; in which students, staff, and faculty members enjoy equal access to opportunities; and where diversity is celebrated in our teaching, research, and outreach. 

 

Warnell is working to meet these goals though more inclusive curricula; certificate training for staff, faculty, and graduate students; and efforts of the Warnell Diversity Committee.

 

DEI Updates

Last fall, faculty across all disciplines decided, unanimously, to revise learning outcomes to better incorporate and reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion. Read more about the changes in learning outcomes.

 

Events

Our Diversity Committee works to produce several DEI-related events each semester. These events may be standalone events organized by the committee, or committee members may work with student groups and others in Warnell to support a variety of voices as part of our educational mission.

In April 2021, the committee worked with Warnell's Speaker Series to invite alumna Danielle Atkins to speak on female landownership and how increasing access is vital to the future of forestry. Atkins runs the forestry consulting business Land & Ladies and has been working with faculty members Puneet Dwivedi and Bob Izlar on a series of workshops that breaks down barriers for women landowners.

In October 2020 we welcomed Dr. Carolyn Finney as part of the UGA Signature Lecture Series. Titled "What's Race Got to do With It? Christian Cooper, John Muir, and the Nature of Green Space," Finney gave us some wonderful insights into the great outdoors and who is welcomed there. Check out her presentation if you haven't seen it yet!

 

Diversity Committee

The Mission of the Diversity Committee is to assist the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources in achieving its vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that the promotion of a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment is a responsibility shared by each member of the School community. The role of the Diversity Committee is to help lead this effort. We will accomplish this by:

  • Identifying and supporting opportunities to enhance diversity in education, teaching, and research
  • Generating and providing information to help monitor trends related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Promoting training and learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff
  • Identifying resources that can help to foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment
  • Providing recognition for existing efforts that support the diversity, equity, and inclusion vision
  • Acting as a resource for inquiries and problem-solving related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Working with existing committees and processes to support actions that help us reach this vision

2021 – 2022 Committee Membership

Matt Head (chair) Michel Kohl Kate deDufour
Elizabeth McCarty Michelle Scott Jesse Abrams
Kristen Morales Mikell Gleason  
Carson Love Undergraduate Representative
Erin Hadjidakis Graduate Representative
Yenie Tran Young Alumni Committee Representative
Lynn Lewis Alumni Steering Committee Representative

 

This committee is set by the dean each year and meets regularly throughout the semester. Please reach out to our chair to give any suggestions or feedback about the diversity committee. Please use our anonymous feedback survey to give suggestions or feedback about the climate at Warnell.

 

 

Get Involved!

Warnell is committed to providing an inclusive environment that reinforces that everyone belongs in the great outdoors. The following organizations and student groups align with that goal; please seek them out for more information.