Diversity and Inclusion Statements
Statement from the Interim Dean,
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is committed to a diverse, inclusive,
and collaborative environment in which all our faculty, students, and staff can thrive
and reach their full potential. We know that the inclusion of perspectives and strengths
that come from a diversity of human experiences makes us a more effective in our mission
to improve the human condition through scientific discovery and its ethical applications.
We recognize that to achieve our commitments, we must actively recruit diversity among our faculty, students, and staff, actively promote the meaningful inclusion of all who make up our academic community, and actively foster equity in our relations with each other. Our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan reflects these goals and provides a roadmap for continually working towards and upholding our values.
John Plenefisch
Interim Dean, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Statement from the Diversity and Inclusion Officer,
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to be part of the University of Toledo milestone of developing a Diversity
and Inclusion Strategic Plan for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is a community committed to sharing
values of diversity and inclusion in order to achieve and sustain excellence. We firmly
believe that we can best promote excellence by recruiting and retaining a diverse
group of students, faculty and staff and by creating a climate of respect that is
supportive of their success.
We know diversity is everywhere; it is all of us. Our backgrounds. Our thinking. Our
perspectives. We believe these differences make our team stronger. We are committed
to providing the leadership necessary to ensure that all people are valued and respected
within the College as evidenced by attitude, policies and procedures.
Our mission is to raise the bar beyond acceptance. We believe that an inclusive work
environment provides an atmosphere that allows all individuals to attain their greatest
potential and achieve the greatest benefits for all.
We have an important work to do. I look forward to executing it all together.
I just leave you one of my favorite quotes: ‘Diversity without inclusion is an empty gesture. Inclusion is a feeling of belonging,
and so creating an empowering, embracing, egalitarian environment starts with the
heart’ (David Asai, Senior Director for Science Education at the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland).
Sincerely,
Silvia Goicoechea
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences; Diversity and Inclusion Officer, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics