As we observe the 18th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on campus this week, I want to affirm my commitment to UNH Cooperative Extension's Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity responsibilities.

I am committed to the implementation of unbiased employment practices and the delivery of educational programs that serve all people of New Hampshire, with particular efforts to include under-served and under-represented groups. I'm proud to be part of an organization that values Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity, and is consistently sensitive to the needs and rights of others.

I commend the efforts I see throughout the organization demonstrating your spirit of accommodation and inclusion. Our current Strategic Plan incorporates this commitment in its Statement of Values, reiterating our responsibility to involve citizens in identifying the needs of diverse audiences, providing educational opportunities to meet those needs.

A new resource available to us through eXtension will help us meet these important needs. (eXtension is a new, educational web-based resource that uses Extension-based expertise from across the country.) This effort, Diversity across Higher Education, will be a component of the eXtension web site. The site contains resources and tools for Extension educators to reach out to new audiences. The site contains frequently asked questions and a calendar of events from across the country, as well as professional development opportunities and specific information to help us be more effective at inclusion and understanding of the diversity of our state.

Along with our UNH Cooperative Extension Guide to Civil Rights, we continue to focus program delivery and outreach to underserved audiences. Thank you for your personal and professional commitment to all people in New Hampshire.