LEAD IT: A Framework for the Future

By: Ashlynne Beninga

Leaders Enhancing Agriculture, Diversity, Inclusion and Trust Collective (LEAD IT) is a program that strives to create strong leaders and community partners in CALS. For leaders emerging from the program, they have become equipped to acknowledge and understand the importance of diversity, inclusion, and intercultural competence. These concepts are then applied in academic settings, other multicultural programs and social justice initiatives.

LEAD IT members serve as liaisons from student organizations to the CALS dean’s office. The organization is working to bridge the gap between the student body and faculty. Students are encouraged to facilitate discussions, provide peer diversity training and other diversity related programming. Students also represent CALS through outreach events.

As LEAD IT continues to grow and develop at Iowa State, many faculty members from other universities have reached out to learn how to implement the framework at their respected colleges.

“We like to have students with a holistic view, so we choose LGBTQ students, people in multicultural areas and pick people with a different voice like graduate students, nontraditional students,” said Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky, director of CALS Multicultural Student Success Center and LEAD IT adviser. Students in LEAD IT reign from a variety of CALS majors, including global resource systems, animal science, agronomy and departments from all corners of the college. Martinez-Podolsky is looking to increase participation in LEAD IT from all demographic cohorts.

“We’re really missing [the participation of] white students and we like to have a voice from them,” Martinez-Podolsky said. “They’re a great resource and sometimes they can help us navigate spaces that some students cannot. So, one thing we’re looking forward to in the future is attracting more voices from there.”

LEAD IT is an opportunity for people who are passionate about promoting diversity, inclusion and a less isolated world. For information about how to apply or get involved, contact Martinez-Podolsky at emart@iastate.edu.