For Undergraduate Students. All entries must be submitted by March 31, 2023.

Sponsored by The College of Agricultural Sciences Diversity Coordinating Council

The Undergraduate Diversity Essay Contest, sponsored by The College of Agricultural Sciences Diversity Coordinating, is intended to increase awareness and promote an understanding and valuing of diversity among our students. The undergraduate students of today will be our future employees, and leaders of tomorrow. Cultural competence and the ability to interact effectively with people from a variety of different backgrounds is quickly becoming an employment skill and expectation.

Essay Topic

Why is it important to understand, appreciate, and value diversity in your professional field? Please consider research and literature related to diversity in your field.   For purposes of this essay contest, Diversity is defined as:

Differences among people with respect to:

  • age
  • class
  • ethnicity
  • gender
  • physical and mental ability
  • race
  • sexual orientation
  • spiritual practice, and
  • other human differences.

Who Could Enter?

Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Contest Guidelines

  1. Each student may submit one essay.
  2. The maximum length of essays should be 3-5 pages.
  3. The essay must be printed on white, standard-sized paper, one side only. It should be double-spaced, use 12 point type size in Times, Times New Roman, or Courier font, with 1 inch margins and numbered pages.
  4. A completed Diversity Essay Contest Entry Form should be attached to the essay. No name or other identifying reference should appear anywhere in the essay.
  5. Entries may be written in a variety of styles, however, the essay must include a "connection to self." Your thoughts or opinions should be represented within the essay.
  6. Essays must be the original, unpublished work of the student.
  7. All entries must be submitted by March 31, 2023.
  8. Keep a copy of your essay since no materials will be returned.

Essays will be evaluated by the following criteria:

I.    Clearly Written in Response to Essay Topic  ______
II.  Clear Organization                                          ______
III. Appropriate use of language                         ______
IV.  Power and Impact of Essay                           ______
V.   Connection to Self                                          ______

Prizes

$300.00 First Place

$200.00 Second Place (2 second places winners will be chosen)

Awards will be presented at an appropriate venue

Diversity Essay Contest Evaluation Form

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