Bumpers College, MANRRS Hosting Diversity and Inclusion Discussion With Students, Alumni

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Any interested student on campus is invited to a diversity and inclusion discussion and open forum hosted by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the U of A's Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences registered student organization.

The event will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Poultry Science Building auditorium (Room A211).

"Diversity, equity and inclusion are key components of a healthy community," said Bumpers College Dean Deacue Fields. "It is our goal in Bumpers College to foster an environment where all students feel welcomed, supported and as an integral part of the family. My goal is to start a conversation where it becomes more comfortable to discuss issues of diversity, inclusion and equity. This will help to increase diversity and create a culture where it is illuminated and embraced."

An alumni panel will visit with current students to discuss their experiences in Bumpers College, the state of diversity in the college and the value of diversity in the workplace. Alumni panelists include Karlie Moore and Ulanda Arnett, graduates in agricultural economics and agribusiness; Kenia Mitre, a poultry science graduate; and Jerred McCormick, a human development and family sciences graduate from the School of Human Environmental Sciences.

Students with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to attend and participate as the college looks to cultivate a more inclusive culture.

The discussion will primarily focus on the experiences of minority students, but everyone affiliated with the college or U of A is welcome.

Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Bumpers College Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Isabel Whitehead at iwhitehe@uark.edu or associate professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness Daniel Rainey at rainey@uark.edu.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2.7 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.