RCE DEI Strategic Plan
The RCE Strategic Plan For Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) aligns with the Rutgers University Diversity Strategic Plan and SEBS/NJAES Diversity Action Plan while addressing diversity, equity and inclusion through in the Cooperative Extension context.
To achieve Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE)’s mission of engagement with and service to New Jersey’s extraordinarily diverse communities, it is imperative that RCE conducts its work in a manner that recognizes the diversity of its many parts, welcomes full participation by all who seek to benefit from RCE resources and opportunities, and enables each individual to reach their full potential.
Increasing diversity and inclusion in RCE will lead to more innovative solutions to community needs in an increasingly complex world, better reflect the changing demographic trends in communities that RCE serves, and demonstrate RCE’s unequivocal commitment to more robust engagement with traditionally underrepresented populations and broader relationships with community stakeholders.
For these reasons, Rutgers Cooperative Extension is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in its mission and vision, workforce, programs, audiences, and in its relationships with other people, groups, and organizations. RCE strives to acknowledge the value of diversity and inclusivity by ensuring faculty and staff are full and influential members, by providing educational opportunities for current and potential audiences, diversifying faculty, staff, volunteers, and developing innovative programs that meet the needs of the members of our communities.
Project Spotlights
4-H STEM Ambassadors Participate in 2023 Sustainability Summit
The attendees are part of the 4-H STEM Ambassador program, where youth are selected to participate in year-round experiences designed to promote STEM identity and college readiness among those underrepresented in science and engineering.
Rutgers 4-H faculty and staff connect limited resource and first-generation students to scientists and engineers across the entire university system as they work together to conduct research and tackle problems in a variety of STEM fields. These STEM Ambassadors also act as role models for younger youth within their communities.
2023 Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program
Forty-one new volunteers were certified as Rutgers Environmental Stewards on October 28 at the program’s annual Impact Summit having each completed a project that helped address an environmental issue in their community.
Many newly certified Environmental Stewards’ projects centered on improving equity or access, such as revitalizing gardens in Newark, improving access to birding for those with disabilities, or making information about environmental issues available in Spanish language.