Diversity Statement 

Diversity can be, and has been, defined in many ways.

One could define overall Biodiversity or the Phylogenetic diversity in habitats, the Genetic diversity amongst individual species, or even ecological diversity amongst ecosystems.

However, diversity amongst individuals, particularly faculty who have had similar experiences with students from underrepresented, socioeconomically     disadvantaged, or first-generation groups, is a rarity.

Few faculty, less so students, from these backgrounds navigate a route to the professoriate or academics honestly.

For instance, my path, being a Washingtonian, a 9th generation freeman, and sequentially a first-generation high school, college, Master’s, and PhD graduate is quite a strange reality.

Understanding anyone’s unique challenges, especially in the content of one’s own experiences, is uncommon.

Everyone has three façades; what the world sees, what friends and family see, and what we are conditioned ourselves to see as much as possible.

Diversity enriches the amalgam of individuals that comprise a group and/or a community.

That is how we promote diversity; by supporting and including everyone, and thereby painting the most all-encompassing tapestry of stories.

Seeing and recognizing the dreams, and the surreal circumstances, of every person as valid is what’s necessary.

The improbability of circumstances, and/or hidden truths, does not equate to their impossibility.

True diversity is the consideration of unlimited possibilities for all.