Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

About Us | Mission & Vision | Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion | DEEGS DEI Committee

About Us

Welcome to the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences (DEEGS)!

We invite you to explore our webpages on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) wherein our aim is to cultivate and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, staff and faculty. No matter where you come from, no matter your background or life experience, you are part of the DEES family and we welcome you with open arms, minds and hearts. It is our expressed desire that you feel a sense of belonging, that you find balance between studies and personal enrichment, and that you thrive within your specific major and our department as a whole.

On our DEEGS DEI webpages you will find plenty of information to support you throughout your journey with us, including academics and research, mentoring opportunities, departmental and campus-wide advocacy and support, and a well-rounded set of resources

Mission & Vision

Our DEI Mission is to uphold a geography and earth sciences learning community rich in the study and appreciation of diverse contributions and perspectives. We share a deep understanding of the existence and consequences of social inequities, and advocate for equity and justice in policy and practice. We affirm individual excellence across all backgrounds and collaborate to cultivate inclusive classrooms. And we commit to protect our DEEGS community against the harmful effects of racism, discrimination and bias.

Our DEI Vision is to be a department in which all of its members feel welcome and valued across race/ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, faith practice, socioeconomic background, age, and veteran or disability status. We desire for each individual to have a sense of belonging, where all opinions matter, where there are equitable opportunities for study, research, outreach and overall intellectual growth, and with ongoing self and departmental reflections that address micro to macro-level bias. As we grow in size and diversity, we continually strive for equitable and inclusive classrooms and other spaces of learning and intellectual exchange.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences is an academic community, welcoming of diverse peoples and perspectives. We are committed to the equitable treatment of all students, staff and faculty and work towards the elimination of discrimination and bias within our curricula, classrooms and department culture as a whole. We value, respect and celebrate the unique contributions of each individual within the DEEGS community and strive to provide equitable access to resources and opportunities.

GES DEI Committee

Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences Diversity, Equity, Inclusion committee members

Dr. Sandra Clinton
• Research Associate Professor • GES Honors Director
Urban Stream Ecology, River Restoration, Molecular Methods in Freshwater Ecosystems

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William (Bill) Garcia
• Senior Lecturer
Vertebrate Paleontology, Biogeography, Phylogenetics

Teaching and Research Interests Phylogeny of Early Tetrapods Carboniferous Biogeography Vertebral Functional Morphology Read More

Rachel Smith
• Graduate Support •Registration/Permits •Assistantships •Student Travel •Program Budgets •Graduation Support

Education Certifications: B.S. Geography (2009); UNC Charlotte Certified NC Environmental Educator Carolina Master Naturalist Interest: Native Flora and Fauna Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers Weather and Climate Astronomy

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