Diversity and inclusion have recently garnered a lot of attention, but related issues have been around for centuries and for many, are apparent in everyday lives. There are many different definitions of diversity and inclusion. The best definitions I’ve seen for these words is given by Diversity.com, with “diversity” meaning:

“The full range of ways a person can identify including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, gender, educational background, socio-economic status, age and physical and mental ability.”

The definition of “inclusion” is given as: “When every single person in the community is valued, heard, respected, empowered and feels a true sense of belonging.”

To ensure we are doing our part to be an inclusive platform, we want to provide a list of online resources that promote diversity. Each link does its own part to this end, whether it presents informative pieces, opportunities for individuals, organizations that provide further resources, tools to be used in your everyday life, or ways you can be more involved in making change. Anyone reading this can benefit another in some way, if that’s by becoming aware of an issue you hadn’t acknowledged before, having a resource you can refer others to, becoming more empathetic toward those who face adversity every day, and so much more.

For UC Davis affiliated individuals:

The Undergraduate Research Center is an on-campus resource for undergrad students who want to be involved in research. They have a number of programs that aim to encourage the diversification of higher education in STEM and Humanities. These programs allow students from underrepresented backgrounds (POC [people of color], low-income, first generation, etc.) to be partnered with a mentor, conduct research, learn about graduate programs and connect with other students from similar backgrounds while gaining leadership skills and professional skills. This is a good place for students to start looking into programs for which they qualify, and for faculty if they are interested in being available as a mentor for students.

For (future, incoming, and continuing) graduate students, postdocs, and faculty, the Graduate Studies page has many great resources available, ranging from mentoring programs and initiatives to community groups.

For non-UCD related resources:

AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities) is an organization that promotes equity across higher education. Their website includes lots of online resources, publications, webinars, and even an online periodical.

Consortium of Higher education LGBT Resource Professionals is a website providing research and resources with the purpose of promoting sexuality and gender diversity for educators.

American Council on Educations resource page for Race and Ethnicity includes a blog series, data, programs, reports, etc., all centered on the work being done to improve diversity and inclusion in higher education.

This guide to allyship is one of the best concise, quick guides to which people can refer when learning how to be a better ally. It’s very accessible, easy to understand, continuously evolving, and a great resource for those who want to learn how to support communities experiencing racism and discrimination.  

Diverse Issues in Higher Education is a website with resources and articles about diversity within higher education and professional development tips for educators.

Race Forward’s “What is Systemic Racism?” is an 8-part videos series highlighting important issues across institutions and society, touching on topics including the wealth gap, employment, housing discrimination, incarceration, and more.

The National Center for College Students with Disabilities is a national center for undergraduate and graduate students with physical or mental disabilities. The website provides information, data, and research for students and faculty, as well as providing peer support for students across many campuses.

Sunshine behavioral health reached out to us post-publication to get the word out about their fantastic organization. Their main mission is to support those suffering from addiction and other mental disorders, but they have many other resources available to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Their section, “Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community” is a great resource to those who’d like to be a better ally, and for those seeking services.

The South Pacific Islander Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to the accessibility of higher education and economic opportunities. This page has links to mentorship opportunities, scholarships and leadership development programs for API individuals.

AAJC – Asian Americans Advancing Justice is an organization that advocates for civil and human rights for Asian Americans through outreach, development of projects, training and education. They offer involvement opportunities and even have a tool to report hate incidents.

The Center for Asian Pacific American Women is a great resource that offers professional development programs for Asian women looking for success in corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.

NAAPIMHA – National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association promotes awareness of the importance of mental health in an individual’s health and well-being, specifically in Asian American Pacific Islander communities throughout the the U.S. They have great resources for those seeking affordable mental health care, and cultural competency trainings for providers among other things.

We hope that providing these resources will better equip readers with the knowledge to stand up/ speak out against forms of racism and oppression, and highlight opportunities for students and faculty.

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Sabrina Mederos is a recently graduated student majoring in Animal Science and Neurobiology. She works with researchers at the UCD School of Vet Med studying the social behavior of neonatal kittens. In the fall of 2020, she will be joining the Animal Behavior Graduate Group working in Dr. Karen Bales’ lab. Her research will focus on the neurobiology of pair bonding in seahorses.

[Editor: Alexandra McInturf]