Diversity and Student Outreach Committee

What We Do

The Diversity and Student Outreach Committee (DSOC) is committed to maintaining a collaborative and inclusive environment for all people to share their ideas regarding accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in the Urban and Environmental Planning & Policy Department (UEPP). Faculty and students of all majors in the UEPP department have the opportunity to participate in DSOC at any time, and students can receive Senior Project credit for their work. Offering senior project credit is an accessible and affordable way for students to fulfill degree requirements at a minimal to no cost benefit. 

DSOC implements the goals outlined in the Diversity Plan through internal and external outreach activities, facilitates opportunities for student community building, provides resources for students and faculty, and more. Besides hosting an annual workshop, DSOC hosts quarterly peer advising events, connects with interested community coalitions, and is constantly considering new ways to support UEPP.

Key Guiding Principles of the Diversity Plan:

  1. Establish a commitment to create a sense of purpose and excitement about ADEI for UEPP faculty, staff, and students
  2. Maintain Department-level conversations, with faculty, staff and students on ADEI to ensure UEPP’s Diversity and Outreach Plan guides Department actions through workshops, surveys, input sessions, or other actions deemed appropriate.
  3. Provide a space for students, staff, and faculty within the UEPP Department to build community.
  4. Expand/diversify the urban planning and environmental policy fields.

History of the Committee

The UEPP Department elected Drs. Tammi Laninga and Troy Abel to lead diversity efforts in the department. In fall 2023, Dr. Laninga invited a team of students in her Community Development & Participatory Methods course to review the Urban Planning & Sustainable Development program’s 2016 Diversity Plan with the goal of updating it and making it relevant to the whole UEPP Department. 

Image Above: Spring 2024 UEPP Diversity Workshop, people seated around tables facing a panel of 3 people and projected presentations.

Photo: Spring 2024 UEPP Diversity Workshop, people seated around tables facing a panel of three people and projected presentations. 

After the fall course, several students on the class team extended their work on the diversity plan by forming the Diversity and Student Outreach Committee in winter 2023. The committee added more students and began drafting the revised diversity plan, wrote grants, and hosted, with the support of Drs. Laninga and Abel, a spring diversity workshop. The workshop discussed social climate, inclusivity, and belonging in the Urban & Environmental Planning & Policy Department and included a panel of diverse alumni who shared their experiences of moving into the workforce. Outcomes from the workshop, plus other data collected by the class project team, were used to develop a full draft of the Diversity and Student Outreach Plan (2024) during summer 2024.

Ongoing Activities

The DSOC meets weekly for community building, strategizing, and event planning. Each quarter, the committee provides a quarterly summary of activities, which are linked below. 

Currently, DSOC has 4 working groups:

  • Media & Communications Group – develops flyers, logos, website, and takes the lead on quarterly reports
  • Outreach Opportunities Group – coordinates outreach with local organizations, to on campus groups, with local high schools and community colleges, and more
  • Peer Advising – coordinates quarterly advising sessions prior to registration
  • Social Planning Group – organizes social activities for the department

Students in all UEPP majors are encouraged to participate. And, if you would like to learn more about earning senior projects credits, contact Dr. Laninga.