

Equity
Our quality of life is directly linked to the quality of our environment. Clean air, water, healthy foods and safe spaces are essential for thriving communities. Both locally and globally, NC State has ongoing research and student initiatives that work toward a healthy future of social, environmental and financial balance.
Diversity and Inclusion
One of the university’s strategic goals is to champion a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and well-being in all we do. NC State also seeks to embody its values of community and inclusion through a culture that promotes personal excellence and institutional equity by seeking, welcoming and supporting individuals and ideas from a broad diversity of backgrounds.
Diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility, but the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) spearheads the effort. OIED seeks to create an NC State experience where everyone, regardless of beliefs, background, orientation or ability, feels at home as part of the Wolfpack. Available resources include training, initiatives, campus community centers and more.

Environmental Justice
The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” It is important that communities have equal environmental protection, as well as access to the decision-making process that impacts their environment.
NC State University:
- NC State University Libraries’ Special Collection on Environmental Justice
- College of Natural Resources: Equity and Environmental Justice
- Center for Human Health and the Environment
- NC State Extension Environmental Justice Education Resources
Government:
- NC Department of Environmental Quality has a community mapping tool of NC counties and municipalities
- EJSCREEN is the Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool from the Environmental Protection Agency
Information:
- Broken Ground Podcast covers environmental stories from the South
- Southerly reports on ecology, justice and culture in the American South
- Scalawag Magazine focuses on social change in the South
Organizations:
Academic Courses
The Sustainable Development Goals Course Inventory provides a unifying framework to explore NC State’s multifaceted initiatives in research, teaching and learning, co-curricular engagement and service. While all SDGs interconnect, the following global goals address the complexity of equity, environmental justice, diversity and inclusion challenges:
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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