Students walk to class in front of Withers and Daniels Hall. PHOTO BY ROGER WINSTEAD

As Chancellor Woodson stated, “Our students are going to enter a world where diversity is part of their everyday working environment, and we want this campus to be a model for how diversity is celebrated, how inclusion is built upon, as a campus of scholars.” Kinesha Harris, a senior majoring in Biological Sciences, recently spoke with the Digest about how she has built inclusion into her campus experience.

How did you get involved with diversity efforts on campus?

Sophomore year, I became involved with the African American Cultural Center through encouragement from upperclassmen around campus. I then joined AYA Ambassadors, a group of students who represent the Center and strive to educate the campus about cultural competence.

What have been your activities to date in these areas?

I have been an AYA ambassador for two years at the African American Cultural Center. I have also participated in Leaders Under Construction, a workshop through the GLBT Center, Multicultural Student Affairs and the Women’s Center, where I did a presentation on cultural competence. I also had the pleasure of representing the Cultural Center at the Women’s Center’s annual Take Back the Night event.

Why do you feel diversity programs are important at NC State?

Programs inform people about the true meaning of diversity by giving definitions of what it means to students, staff and faculty and so many other different groups on campus.

Jasmine Omorogbe, assistant director for African American student affairs, has this to say about Kinesha, “Kinesha is an awesome student leader who has made many contributions to the work of the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity. Her poise, personality and ability to execute are impressive. I am excited to see what she does next!”

Kinesha was interviewed by O’Licia Parker-Smith, communications intern in the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity.