Forging the Future for Diversity and Inclusion

Ed. Note: Cross-posted from the Department of Agriculture.

On Monday, USDA hosted a Hispanic Roundtable on recruiting, hiring and retaining Latino employees. The goal of this meeting was to further our partnerships with Hispanic-serving organization in order to better meet the needs of the populations we serve and to solicit best practices, ideas, and strategies to increase employment of Hispanics at USDA.

If someone had told me when I was younger that I would end up working at USDA—I would have never believed them. My parents were farmers and the reason that I ended up where I am today is because I was given an opportunity.

At USDA, we are committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the people we serve. We are currently ranked as the fifth most diverse executive department in the federal government—but we’re working harder to be a model service provider.  USDA strives to lead the way when it comes to making sure our diversity and inclusion efforts are clear from The national office all the way down to our county field offices.

The USDA Diversity Road Map defines the department’s strategic focus to cultivate a diverse and inclusive work environment that ensures equal opportunity and inclusion through national policy and development, diversity programs, workforce analysis, and education and training to best serve our customers and key stakeholders.  The road map’s milestones and metrics are monitored and administered by the USDA Diversity Officers Council, which is represented by senior leaders of all USDA Mission Areas and Staff Offices.

A Long Overdue Policy Change to Recognize the Sovereignty of Tribal Governments

As demonstrated time and time again through many disasters across America, emergency management requires a team effort. Our country's tribal nations and leaders are an essential part of the team. The Obama administration has long been committed to supporting Indian Country in efforts to build resilient communities, prepared for all hazards.

Last week, on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the administration, I met with tribal leaders as a participant in the 2011 Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the White House. The goal of this multi-day event was to continue an honest, meaningful discussion between tribal leadership, the administration and federal agencies, to listen, learn and explore how we can continue to strengthen our government-to-government relationship.

During these conversations, I had the opportunity to announce -- consistent with our strong government-to-government relationship and after a lengthy review process -- that the administration supports amending the Stafford Act to allow federally recognized tribal governments to make a request directly to the president for a federal emergency or disaster declaration. Under current law, only states, through the governor, can make such requests. 

Amending this legislation will acknowledge the sovereignty of federally recognized tribes and the trust responsibility of the United States, enhance FEMA's working relationship with tribal governments, and improve emergency responsiveness throughout Indian Country. 

Craig Fugate is the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Deadline Approaching: Campus “Champions of Change” Challenge

Last month we announced the very first White House Campus "Champions of Change" Challenge. Over the past several weeks we’ve received hundreds of submissions outlining some incredible student projects that are improving communities across the country. With only a few more days left to send in your submissions, I want to remind you that the deadline to submit your campus project for the White House Campus "Champions of Change" Challenge at WhiteHouse.gov/CampusChallenge is this Friday, December 9th at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The White House Office of Public Engagement and mtvU are proud to announce the first ever Campus “Champions of Change” Challenge. The Challenge invites college and university students from across the country to demonstrate how their student-led project is improving their campus community and helping America win the future.

Here’s how it works:

• Submit an online application detailing your student-led program at WhiteHouse.gov/CampusChallenge.
• The White House will select 15 finalists based on input from a panel of judges.
• The public will then have an opportunity to weigh in and vote on the top five projects they think best embody the President’s goal to win the future.

The top five finalists will be named Campus "Champions of Change," and will be invited to the White House for a culminating event.  Additionally, they will have the opportunity to work with mtvU, and MTV Act to create short features about their projects that will air on mtvU and be featured on MTV.com.  The winning team will also host an episode of mtvU’s signature program, “The Dean’s List”.