School of Forest Resources

Strategic Plan

SFR faculty have adopted three high-level strategies to promote equity, inclusion, and growth of a diverse and socially responsive academic unit:

1. Develop cultural competence within students, faculty, and staff. Student development will embrace cultural competence, equity, and inclusion as distinct aspects of professionalism by leveraging opportunities already embedded in undergraduate and graduate programs. Faculty and staff development will target the growth of awareness, knowledge, and skills related to cultural competence, equity, and inclusion, with emphasis on teaching practices and classroom dynamics.
2. Improve pathways for student participation, academic achievement, and professional growth. Pathways to academic and professional success begin with recruitment and will be expanded and enriched to better support students from a greater diversity of backgrounds. These pathways will build upon a strong foundation of existing undergraduate and graduate student support.
3. Establish and support education, research, and service programs that promote equity, inclusion, and diversity. SFR will build strong connections with University programs and groups to pursue mutually beneficial and synergistic activities that advance University-wide equity and diversity objectives while maintaining and further cultivating a strong sense of identity and community within the unit. Programs within SFR will be responsive to student needs, faculty feedback, and the interests of stakeholders and partner organizations.

History and Highlights supporting Strategic Plan

2022 – 2023

• Formed the Nutting Hall Community of Practice
• Conducted series of DEI-focused Faculty/Staff training sessions, led by Anila Karunakar (Director of the UMO Multicultural Center)

2021

• Finalized Departmental DEI Statement after conducting several open meetings with SFR faculty, staff, and students 

2019

• Implementation of comprehensive outreach and recruitment plan targeting underrepresented groups

2018

• First annual diversity climate survey
• Adoption of undergraduate learning objectives and program outcomes

2017

• Established the SFR Multicultural Coordinator position
• Formed the Experiential Learning for Multicultural Students (ELMS) Program in partnership with the USDA Forest Service. ELMS provides paid opportunities to engage in research, teaching, or service projects that build skills and mentoring relationships.
• Revised the Professional Guidelines and Expectations for SFR Students and the criteria for award of an SFR Certificate of Professionalism to reflect a commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and diversity within SFR programs and professions.

2016 

• Co-hosted the Visiting Libra Diversity Professor Dr. Caroline Brackette with UMaine Native American Programs. Dr. Brackette’s work included cultural competence training for faculty/staff and evaluation of institutional support for multicultural students.

2015

• Formed a faculty committee to develop strategies and activities to promote recruitment, retention, and career transitions of multicultural students in forestry and related natural resource fields.
• Formed Supporting Women in Forestry Today (SWIFT), a group of women and allies in SFR committed to practical, positive, and solutions-focused approaches to the empowerment of women in forestry.
• Participated in the Wabanaki Youth in Science (WaYS) Program, a STEM education and retention program integrating cultural and natural resource studies, led by UMaine Native American Programs.