The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources is committed to increasing its diversity and fostering a culture of true inclusion. Today, the Dr. Bill Bennett Student Success Center launches a new platform for getting to better know some of our outstanding students.  

Name: Jeremiah Neal; Major: Agricultural Education & Communications; Activities: Davis College Senator/Davis Agri-Techsans; Classification: Senior; Hometown: Jacksonville, Texas

• My Experience: My experience has been highly creative. When I first started my journey here at the university, I found myself living outside of the Davis College learning community, and inside the walls of the Coleman resident hall. I quickly got engaged in the welcome week opportunities that were offered.  
• Why Davis College: I chose Davis College because I felt at home. When I scheduled my campus tour during my senior year of high school, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I was worried about the distance between my home, and what would become my new home. Although I was worried, after my tour and talking to faculty, I was reassured that I was in the right place; a place that gave me love, education, and a new family.  
• Any Advice: My key piece of advice would be to get out and make new friends and find new people. These are the times in life for us to grow, find our new passions, and to reach new levels of success. In this process of finding new friends, I encourage others to search for them in the places that they would find themselves. If I were looking for me, I would search at a coffee shop.  
• I'm Involved In: On campus I am involved in a few organizations on campus, such as the Davis College Agri-Techsans, the Student Government Association, intramural sports, and other on-campus community service groups. In these organizations, I feel whole. 
• I Promote DEI by: I promote DEI by noticing and understanding that diversity in general is more than just black and white, but it also falls into the line of who they are, personally, and what other communities they stand for. By taking this into account, I can build meaningful connections with others, and learn and grow within my knowledge of how diverse our campus is.  

“Diversity and equity is critical to our research and educational missions,” said Sandra Addo, Davis College's Program Manager for Diversity & Graduate Student Recruitment. “We seek to realize the full promise of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture by offering an environment where everyone can thrive.” 

“Our vision is to lead Davis College toward an equitable, inclusive, and diverse culture where everyone has a strong sense of belonging,” she said. “We envision an environment that catalyzes and sustains inclusion to enable all people to feel that the identity they hold belongs and authentically influences the culture, values and future of the college.”

CONTACT: Sandra Addo, DEI Committee Co-Chair and Program Manager for Diversity & Graduate Student Recruitment, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or sandra.addo@ttu.edu

0217NM22 / Editor's Note: For detailed information on Davis College DE&I programs, click here