Gordillo Talks About Promoting, Improving Diversity At WSUs CAHNRS

Earlier this summer, Washington State University promoted Dr. Luz Maria Gordillo to Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence at the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Science, better known as CAHNRS. The position, created last summer by then dean Andre Denis Wright is intended to help faculty, staff and students understand the importance of encouraging diversity and provide assistance and opportunities to underrepresented groups. Gordillo said the effort in the College of Ag is part of a University wide effort.

“Sometimes we refer to the work as DEI.  This is a very important initiative from CAHNRS, because I see this position as an action step toward sustaining a ethic of inclusion at WSU and building a just society.”

Gordillo noted that CAHNRS personifies diversity with 16 academic units, four research and extension centers and 40 county and tribal extension offices distributed across the state. That she said, translates into research as diverse as the communities and agricultural systems and landscapes across the Evergreen state.

“Our college has programs that are unique and diverse.  I mean, we have everything from animal science to crop and soil scientists, horticulture, plant pathology and entomology, to the schools of the environment, economic sciences and food sciences.  There are a multitude of opportunities to build a robust DEI structure that matches the vision and mission of CAHNRS; to serve everyone and include all.”

While she will be “headquartered” out of the Vancouver campus, Gordillo said she plans to visiting farming communities across the state with regularity. How does she see this new roll at CAHNRS impacting the ag industry and farmers across Washington, as well as the county? For more, listen to our entire podcast below.

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