Viewpoint Diversity

Viewpoint Diversity Initiatives

Diversity of people, ideas, experiences, and contributions is highly valued at ETSU and is embedded in the mission and values of the university. ETSU is committed to promoting a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive living, learning, and working environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

Learn more about the current programs, events, and resources that foster a community where people come first, are treated with dignity and respect and are encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Policies and Related Resources

Programs

Moon Shot for Equity

ETSU is a participant in Moon Shot for Equity, a public-private partnership dedicated to ensuring that more students complete college degrees, especially those most often left behind – low-income, first-generation, and students of color.

BUCS Academy

This retention program serving students from African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American populations is designed to give first-time freshmen a solid foundation before the academic year begins.

Quest for Success

Focusing on underrepresented students of color, this college transition program is designed to help students adjust to campus life and build a network of friends, faculty, and staff to assist them throughout their college journey.

BEST Mentor Program

The Bucs Empowering Scholars for Tomorrow (BEST) Mentor program provides tailored programming and services to empower students and foster academic success.

Discover Program

Discover ETSU program invites 11th and 12th grade high school students who are from underrepresented communities and/or are socioeconomically disadvantaged to spend time on ETSU’s campus to learn more about the opportunities the university offers. https://www.etsu.edu/students/mcc/programs/discover/

International Buccaneer Buddies

IBB is designed to help new international students adjust positively to life at ETSU.

Diversity Scholars Society

Diversity Scholars Society honors students who come from across the country and globe with diverse identities, unique experiences, and transformative challenges.

Access ETSU

Access ETSU offers supplemental supports to young adults with an intellectual disablity (ID) who seek to enhance their academic, career development, and social skills alongside their peers at ETSU.

Past, Upcoming, and Continuing Events

4th Annual Equity and Inclusion Conference

This conference, held September 27-29, 2022, featured nationally recognized speakers who covered a wide range of topics, including Appalachian identity, culture, and race relations. Speakers included best-selling author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson; Broadway star Bryan Terrell Clark; Cherokee Wisdom Keeper and Ceremonialist Yona FrenchHawk; and artist, advocate, and entrepreneur Crystal Dawn Good.

Civility Week

This annual Civilty week event celebrates civility and discourse and is planned for March 23-30, 2023.

Health, Equity and Inclusion Lecture

Noted scientist, physician, and administrator Dr. James E.K. Hildreth was the keynote speaker for the second annual Health, Equity and Inclusion Lecture (part of the Leading Voices in Public Health lecture series) on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Hildreth is president and CEO of Meharry Medical College.

Y’all Don’t Hear Me: The Black Appalachia

Curated by ETSU graduate Kreneshia Whiteside-McGee, this exhibit during fall 2022 featured artists, poets, and musicians from the 13 states of the Appalachian region. As part of the exhibit, well-known poet Nikki Giovanni presented a poetry reading.

Turning Point USA Documentary Screening

On November 10, 2022, Turning USA hosted a screening of the new Daily Wire Documentary, “The Greatest Lie Ever Sold,” by Candace Owens.

Native American Festival

ETSU celebrates Native American Heritage through art, music, and historical legends with an emphasis on the Cherokee culture.

Turning Point USA hosts Nick Adams

Naturalized American citizen, childhood cancer survivor, conservative commentator, author, and non-profit founder Nick Adams spoke about American exceptionalism and his journey to becoming an American citizen in a free public talk sponsored by Turning Point USA at ETSU held on October 13, 2022.

Scoop on Faith & Service

This annual event connects ETSU students with campus faith-based activities and campus community service organizations.

Diversity Scholars Banquet

This dinner and ceremony honors and acknowledges students from diverse backgrounds who have achieved academic excellence.

Training and Continuing Education

Lunch and Learn Sessions
The Office of Equity and Inclusion invites faculty, staff, and students from the university to lead discussions and share their areas of expertise in order to increase cultural competency at the university and community.

Inclusive Excellence Training
The Inclusive Excellence Cultural Competency workshop trains faculty and staff in cultural competencies that include inclusive pedagogy techniques used by students both in and out of the classroom.

Workshop for First-year Medical Students
In July 2022, Quillen College of Medicine hosted a workshop related to identity and its impact on the provision and receipt of health care. It was presented as part of the curriculum for first-year medical students.

Safe Zone Training
This optional training on basic terminology and inclusivity of the LGBTQ community is offered to faculty and staff.

Resources

Divisive Concepts Legislation
This page reviews ETSU Core Values and includes frequently asked questions about the new law passed during the 2022 legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly.

What is Viewpoint Diversity
Heterodox Academy created a short video explaining the importance of viewpoint diversity and confirmation bias. Heterodox Academy is a nonpartisan collaborative of 5,000+ professors, educators, administrators, staff, and students committed to research, open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.

A Roadmap to Promote Campus Free Expression
This manual was produced by the Bipartisan Policy Center and offers helpful recommendations for college presidents and senior leadership teams, trustees, faculty, athletic directors and coaches, and student affairs staff.

Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center
The Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center is a place where our students can discuss, appreciate, and celebrate their identities, similarities, and differences through a variety of facilitated workshops, cultural programming, and academic/leadership development opportunities while also building a sense of community and belonging.

Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center
The Patricia Robertson Pride Center provides programming, campus resources, and educational training for ETSU students, faculty, staff, and community members.

ETSU Center for Teaching Excellence
The Center provides resources to foster equity and success for all students by nurturing excellence in teaching.

Classroom Dynamics and Diversity
Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning includes tips for managing challenging conversations.

To request that a past or future event be highlighted on this page, send the title of the event, date, link (if applicable), and a brief description to Dr. Chassidy Cooper at coopercl@etsu.edu