Inclusive Excellence
July 11th, 2023 - The Pylons on a sunny day (Photo by Luke Hayes/Virginia Tech)
Let’s work together
In the College of Natural Resources and Environment, we have the mission of developing and sustaining future leaders who will be the change in our efforts to preserve and maintain our world. These are the overwhelmingly complex issues at the heart of what we do and we must work together to achieve our goal.
Our community is one of positivity and pushing each other to succeed. There are ample opportunities to connect around common interests from getting to know people on the van rides that are part of field experiences, to rich panel discussions on professional and personal development topics that are open to the entire college community.
We are a group of passionate people who want to make a difference and who believe in the power of each individual. As a college, we affirm Virginia Tech's Principles of Community and InclusiveVT.
Meet Maryam Kamran, director of CNRE InclusiveVT
Maryam Kamran has joined the College of Natural Resources and Environment as the director of CNRE InclusiveVT. Her hiring reflects the college’s commitment to enhancing community in the fields of natural and environmental sciences.
“For a program that values ecological diversity and understands the strength, resilience, and beauty of diversity in the natural world, we have an opportunity to take the lead in embracing inclusion and excellence,” said Paul Winistorfer, dean of the college. “We are excited to have Dr. Kamran contribute to that effort.”
Kamran is tasked with leading community-based initiatives within the college and teaching courses that examine natural resources and the environment through the lends of the modern world. She serves as a member the dean’s leadership team and will work on initiatives across the college’s departments.
“I want to reaffirm that as a college community, we are committed to supporting Virginia Tech's Principles of Community and InclusiveVT. We know from our work in natural resources that inclusion and excellence is a strength that brings resilience to natural systems. And it is beautiful.”
-Paul M. Winistorfer, dean of the college
We are committed to doing the work
We have all learned so much from our time Virginia Tech's campuses. And, still, we have so much more to learn. We remain committed to doing the work that will contribute to an inclusive environment and community in the college and at the university.
Recent college activities directed at improving inclusion and excellence:
In 2021, the college began working with Virginia Tech’s Office for Inclusive Strategy and Excellence to secure funding to hire a director of CNRE InclusiveVT, which was filled that year.
The college actively participates in the Black College Institute for high school students each summer. We have been complimented for offering one of the best hands-on sessions during the institute, and we have seen a number of students from the program apply for admission to the college.
The InsideTREES camp was offered in summer 2019, primarily for minority and female high school students.
College faculty participated in the organization and delivery of a program for students in Jr. MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) in summer 2019 in cooperation with Virginia State University.
These efforts and others have contributed to CNRE’s most diverse freshman class ever for fall 2020, with 17 percent of the incoming students being underrepresented minorities. While we still have work to do to reach the university’s strategic goal of 25 percent underrepresented students for fall 2022, we are making progress. The new director of inclusion and diversity will be assisting with recruitment efforts to attract more underrepresented students as well as underrepresented faculty and staff to the college.
We are exploring a new undergraduate major in urban natural resources as well as a new professional master's degree in the area of environmental security that will be offered through the Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability. We anticiapte that these new academic programs will appeal to individuals who wish to work and live in urban environments. These programs could also benefit urban environments and their inhabitants and serve as an avenue to recruit additional students and faculty to the college.
Get connected with your community
Virginia Tech and CNRE offer plenty of opportunities for finding your people and making a new home.
Resources to help you succeed
Check out some additional resources for finding your niche and accomplishing your goals. More scholarship opportunities for CNRE students are listed on the Scholarships page.
- Advising Center: Your CNRE advisor can help you choose and register for courses, consider major options, find hands-on learning opportunities, and ensure you are progressing toward graduation.
- Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP): LSAMP offers a College Transition Program, research funding, career development assistance, and faculty mentors, all with the overall goal of encouraging more students to pursue and persist in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS): This student organization promotes careers in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences by providing scholarship, research, and networking opportunities.
- Student Success Center: Virginia Tech’s Student Success Center offers tutoring, peer coaching, and seminars on academic success, and spearheads the Black Male Excellence Network.
- Services for Students with Disabilities (SDD): If you need access to facilitative technologies and programming, an advocate to help you navigate or participate in some aspect of campus life, assistance with transition into the workplace, or other types of services, contact SSD.
- CNRE Leadership Institute: Taking on current and future challenges and opportunities across the global landscape requires a unique blend of scientific know-how and leadership. As a complement to strong disciplinary knowledge, leadership means working with people to solve problems, create opportunities, and move programs, organizations, and people forward. The Leadership Institute equips our students with the skills and tools they need to solve critical problems facing society in the management and utilization of natural resources and in environmental stewardship.
- ExperienceVT: Don’t just come to Virginia Tech, ExperienceVT! We encourage you to explore, practice, and live the Aspirations for Student Learning to make this experience your own and become your best self — both inside and outside of the classroom.
- InclusiveVT: As an institution and as individuals, we are committed to the university motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Learn more about events and programs like the Principles of Community Week.
- Living-Learning Programs: These unique housing options integrate what you study, where you live, and who you live with, bringing together people with a common interest, experience, or outlook.
- Hokie Wellness: We want all Hokies to be healthy and happy, so Hokie Wellness helps students make healthy decisions and live healthy lives by providing workshops, outreach, and individual consultations.
- Beyond Boundaries Scholars: Launched in 2016, this scholarship program is designed to encourage the enrollment of high-achieving students from underserved communities.
- Dean’s Assistantships: These funding opportunities can assist underrepresented students who are pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees but did not attend Virginia Tech as undergraduates.
- McNair Assistantships: These one-year assistantships provide funding to master’s and doctoral students who participated in the McNair Scholars Program as undergraduates.
- Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP): This program assists both undergraduate and graduate students in their transition to Virginia Tech by providing academic, emotional, social, and financial support.
Still in high school? Experience life as a Hokie and get ready to apply
In addition to our regular campus tours and CNRE info session, you might want to consider: