In this week’s issue:

• Communication and connection opportunities
• Call for nominations – 2019 Vice Provost Awards for Excellence
• Central Oregon Regional Director
• Extension Web Update
• Diversity Highlights
• What are you reading?
• Extension in the news

Communication and connection opportunities

Is there anything about which you are interested, curious, or concerned? Here are some ways to share and ask:

• Online form to submit questions (Think of this like a virtual comment box.)
• OSU Extension Slack workspace or informal communication and collaboration
• Read ConnEXTions weekly, and contribute!
• O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
• Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (Next: February 15, 2019)

Call for nominations – 2019 Vice Provost Awards for Excellence

The Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost Awards for Excellence encourage and reward efforts to create and nurture healthy communities, healthy planet and a healthy economy through outreach and engagement efforts. Deadline for nominations is February 28.To learn more about award criteria and to complete the nomination form, click here. You are encouraged to self-nominate or nominate others. Award event will be held in the MU Ballroom, Thursday, May 2, 3:30 until 5 p.m., followed by a reception.

Central Oregon Regional Director

Thank you to Dana Martin for her service to OSU Extension, most recently as Regional Director for our Central Region. Dana has announced she will retire at the end of this fiscal year.

We invite applications for the next Central Oregon Regional Director. Please share the position posting (https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/71837) with your networks. Contact Search Chair Willie Riggs with questions.

Extension Web Update

The Extension website groups have the ability to customize how content is added to best fit their purposes, which means needing to decide between available options. This week’s blog post looks at one case example of Master Gardener program training applications to see how certain approaches can meet the needs of different visitors to the website.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions or comments or if you have suggestions for events or news stories to include in Diversity Highlights.

Video of the Week:

Job Search for Veterans | Google Super Bowl Commercial 2019

To learn more about job search and our other tools and programs for service members, veterans and their families, visit https://google.com/grow/veterans

Events & Resources

Farming While Black: The evening is a great opportunity for essential discussion, education and raising awareness of the work and contributions of the Black farming community in Portland, the greater PNW and in a larger cultural context.  Feb 13 from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm In Portland for more information visit the event page.

Back to the Root – 2019 Oregon Black Growers Gathering: One-day NW regional conference is the first of its kind in Oregon, providing an opportunity for Black and African-American-identified growers, farmers, producers, educators, advocates, and ranchers. February 22 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm in Corvallis. For more information, visit the event page.

Justice and Reparation in Guatemala: Challenges & Possibilities: Judge Barrios will deliver her address, “Justice and Reparation in Guatemala: Challenges and Possibilities,” in 156 Straub Hall at 6pm on Tuesday, March 5 in Eugene. For more information, visit the event page.

Visibly Invisible: Honoring Our Unsung Sheroes: A night of celebration empowerment, healing and self-actualization through the Arts of photography, dance, and fashion, honoring the journey and the complex roles Black woman play in our community and the world at large. March 9 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

‘Opening a window’ to education

Each year, Oregon State University’s federally funded High School Equivalency Program serves a total of 38 students from migrant or seasonal farm working backgrounds, providing individuals from these traditionally-marginalized communities the opportunity to obtain their GED and attend college.

New Emoji Include People With Disabilities

A dozen icons depicting the experiences of people with disabilities are coming to smartphones and other devices later this year.

Oregon state representative proposes new mental health centers

Oregon state Rep. Cedric Hayden, R-Roseburg, has proposed a pilot project of mental health service centers across Oregon.

Salem teens head to 61st Annual Grammy Awards for songs about addiction, mental health

You may not have heard of rappers Chowder, Big D.A.Q. or lil Gordito — but you might spot them at the Grammys.

Two-Spirit Powwow celebrates a broad, diverse community

The grand entry began a little after noon. Drummers gave a pulse to the proceedings. Dancers, all dressed in the traditional clothing of their respective tribes, began to step in place. Those who watched all stood in respect.

Salem-Keizer community ‘not ready for integration’ to reach equity in schools

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is in a unique position to address overcrowding and inequities across the district.

What are you reading?

Please share an interesting book, blog, or article you’ve read lately. What’s one insight you gleaned?

Extension in the news