Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Vision
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is committed to embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, and fostering a socially just, respectful, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and faculty. The college has developed a DEI Strategic Action Plan to focus its efforts to achieve this.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Events
CAFES organizes events throughout the year focused on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. These events are designed to bring together people from across the college, campus and community to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, learn from each other, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Multicultural Scholars Program
This is a mentorship program for all CAFES majors who will graduate in June 2025 or later. Selected students will be paired with a faculty mentor listed below, will enroll in AGC 254, Introduction to Agricultural Leadership, and will participate in one summer field trip and other program events. The program’s aim is to diversify students for leadership roles. See application here.
Multicultural Agriculture Program
The mission of the Multicultural Agriculture Program (MAP) is to provide academic and personal support to undergraduate students of all cultural backgrounds in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences with a peer-based structure that cultivates student achievement and a sense of community.
Read more about the Multicultural Agriculture Program ›
Student Resource Guides
Learn by Doing defines Cal Poly academics. There are a wide range of academic support services such as tutoring, advising, presentation and essay help, and more to ensure that everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources:
- Black Student Resource Guide
- Latinx Student Resource Guide
- Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Resource Guide
CAFES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
Each spring, the college hosts its annual CAFES Faculty and Staff Awards, where it celebrates the accomplishment and work of its faculty and staff. One category is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, which celebrates members of the Cal Poly community who have exhibited exceptional commitment to enhancing campus climate.
Faculty are evaluated by the following criteria:
1) Recognized by the community as a person who engages in diversity, equity and inclusion through their work in the classroom and curriculum; 2) Supports students by mentoring and raising awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion both inside and outside the classroom; 3) Pursues scholarship that connects their work to diversity, equity and inclusion; and/or 4) Supports colleagues in efforts to create a welcoming campus climate.
Staff are evaluated by the following criteria:
1) Demonstrates inclusive excellence through programs, initiatives and/or daily actions; 2) Strives for improvement of campus understanding of diversity, and/or 3) Service goes above and beyond duties to support campus climate. Nominations are solicited each spring.
College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The CAFES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee promotes a culture that embraces differences, works for equity, and recognizes that a community learns more when everyone is included. We educate the students, staff, faculty, alumni and industry partners by promoting conversation, training, events and communication about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in our college.
Read more about the committee ›
Cal Poly Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology
The Cal Poly Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) offers a number of resources that address diversity, equity and inclusion, including diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom . The CTLT offers a number of Book Circles on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion each quarter. Recent selections have included "The Culturally Inclusive Educator" and "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism."
Sarah Macdonald, Inclusive Excellence Instruction Specialist, is available for one-on-one confidential consultations to help faculty enhance their work around diversity, equity and inclusion in instruction. For more information, email smacdo05@calpoly.edu.
UndocuAlly Working Group
The UndocuAlly Working Group at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo – a working group in the Dream Center – is comprised of faculty, staff, administrators and students dedicated to creating an UndocuFriendly Cal Poly. The UndocuAlly Working Group currently hosts private and public UndocuAlly Training Series, supplemental workshops and ally support events. Contact undocually@calpoly.edu for additional information.
Read more about the UndocuAlly Working Group ›
Global Programs
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences believes we have a responsibility to provide opportunities that facilitate students become global citizens. There are numerous advantages of studying abroad - it’s a unique opportunity to discover new ways of living and thinking and become more aware of various cultures. Faculty from CAFES offer many opportunities for students across campus to study abroad.