Faculty & Staff

Members

• Assibi Mahama aamahama@iastate.edu – Term Faculty rep, Committee Chair
• Maria Salas-Fernandez mgsalas@iastate.edu – Faculty rep
• Ken Moore kjmoore@iastate.edu – Faculty rep
• Leila Fattel lfattel@iastate.edu – Grad student rep
• Hallie Sandeen hsandeen@iastate.edu – Undergrad rep
• Heidi Ackerman heidia@iastate.edu – Staff rep

Mission Statement

“In the Department of Agronomy, we cultivate openness and trust. To accomplish this, our primary efforts seek to remove barriers and to support all individuals in the department to be the change for the greater good. The committee is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to increase and maintain diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the Department, disseminating diversity, equity, and inclusion-related information and policies to faculty, staff, and students, and facilitating diversity, equity, and inclusion-related activities in the department. The committee also leads and coordinates the execution of plans for integrating diversity and inclusivity into the basic functions of the department.”

Vision

“The purpose of this committee is to awaken a realization that the diversity of students, faculty and staff is an opportunity to advance individuals and strengthen organizations. This requires safe spaces where people embrace integrity, individuality, and diversity with sensitivity, kindness, and openness to change. Because of this work, our doors, minds, and hearts shall remain open to diverse persons and ideas.”

Values

“The committee intends to include all people in the Department of Agronomy. This includes, but is not limited to, people of diverse origins, perspectives, job classification, and backgrounds. To achieve this, the Department of Agronomy encourages safe spaces for storytelling, bringing to light stereotypes and prejudices, and identifying barriers that can be overcome. By promoting respect, honesty, compassion, diversity, and acceptance, we support a positive and safe culture for all members of the department.”