We strive to build an organizational culture of belonging at Illinois Extension. Belonging is a feeling that is associated with being valued, included, supported, and connected. The feeling of belonging helps staff to feel comfortable expressing their true and authentic self in professional spaces. Belonging to Illinois Extension also means that the diversity of our community members, partners, and other stakeholders is represented in all aspects of the work we do (e.g., employment, marketing, strategic planning, and program delivery). Staff members were asked to share what an organizational culture of belonging means to them.
- CONNECTEDNESS: Collaborations, internal support, external partnerships, intersectional work, and work-life interface
- HUMILITY: Respect, awareness, open-mindedness, openness, listening, space to learn from mistakes, understanding, empathy, curiosity, fairness, inclusion, accommodation, and authenticity
- UNIQUENESS: Individuality, acceptance, appreciation, recognition, and valuing contributions, differences, time, and ongoing impact on Extension’s overall work
- WELCOMING: Inviting, friendly, caring, seen, heard, positive, kind, and lived experiences are embraced and honored
What DEIA Means to Illinois Extension
In response to the question, what do diversity, equity, inclusion, and access mean to you, individual Extension staff shared feedback that was categorized into themes.
Accommodation at Illinois Extension ensures programs are accessible to everyone: Accommodation statements on written materials, considerations for neurodiversity and reading levels, providing language access, being flexible in translation modes, providing materials in multiple languages, and using closed captioning during Zoom meetings and interpreters’ translation services.
Community-led Extension elevates each community’s voice: Serving all and not segments of a community, understanding the community’s needs, finding ways to meet people where they are, and delivering programs where the need exists in the community.
An inclusive Extension embraces cultural appreciation and not just acceptance, ensuring that everyone feels as though they belong and can be involved: Equitable access to opportunities, everyone deserves our attention and best efforts, openness to learning about other people and cultures, genuine acceptance, and ability to walk into any space and be/feel accepted, and being invited and included.
Institutional accountability at Extension means intentional efforts are made to remove barriers: Disrupt the status quo, justice, speak out against discrimination, question if programs are reaching all and not just selected audiences, explore ways to increase inclusion and access, staff that is representative of the audiences we serve, and ensure that everyone regardless of their race, religion, sex, or ability has access to the resources of the university.
Respect guides Extension staff actions no matter their views or opinions: Appreciation and learning do not necessarily mean agreement, care for others, engaging with others different than you, learning from others to better understand needs and see opportunities, helping others see through different lenses, and seeing things from other perspectives.
Self-reflection for Extension means a willingness to learn and accept feedback: Reflecting on our own biases, being open to difficult and uncomfortable conversations, embracing cultural awareness and humility, and understanding that diversity is more than race, ethnicity, and gender.
A welcoming Extension makes all feel supported: Inviting others without making them feel like we are just trying to diversify, serving everyone, and providing neutral spaces for everyone regardless of background or beliefs.