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Diversity Days in Reston, VA By Jamey Reid August 2003 in this issue:  previous story | next story Headquarters SEPAC Chair Celso Puente (left) along with USGS Deputy Director Bob Doyle and Chief of Administrative Policy and Services Carol Aten. Photograph by Linda Peng. On June 3 and 4, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)'s Headquarters and Eastern Region Special Emphasis Program Advisory Committees (SEPACs) held the second annual Diversity Days celebration in Reston, VA. USGS speakers for the event included Director Chip Groat, Deputy Director Bob Doyle, Eastern Region Director Bonnie McGregor, and Chief of Administrative Policy and Services Carol Aten. Department of the Interior (DOI) speakers included DOI Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Workforce Diversity Mike Trujillo and DOI Deputy Director for the Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs Daniel Garza. Imogene Bynum from the Eastern Region SEPAC moderated the sessions on both days. Entertainment included a swing-dance demonstration and instruction by Paul Togan, and performances by the Westfield High School Step Team and the Cedar Lane High School Band. Both days included a tasting of ethnic foods and a viewing of videos related to diversity issues. The highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled "Debunking the Myth that Hiring Diverse Candidates Lowers the Standards." The panel was composed of eight diverse USGS employees, representing the eight SEPAC focus groups, including Pam Malam (Women), Bob Doyle (Multicultural), Alan Mikuni (Asian American), Ivette Torres (Hispanic), Ike Kelley (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender), Amy Berger (Disabilities), Jo Margaret Hale (African American), and Donna Foulke (Native American). They all told their stories of diversity from many different perspectives—the joys and successes, as well as the aches and pains, of struggling to succeed in environments that may have not embraced diversity. Above left: DOI speakers Daniel Garza (left) and Mike Trujillo. Photograph by Linda Peng. Above center: (From left to right) Headquarters SEPAC member Dottie Harris along with Eastern Region SEPAC members Maria Arguelles and Imogene Bynum. Photograph by Linda Peng. Above right: The Westfield High School Step Team. Photograph by Linda Peng. For more information about SEPAC, please visit the SEPAC Web site (accessible to employees via the USGS Intranet) or contact John Szemraj in the Office of Equal Opportunity at 703-648-7011. in this issue:  previous story | next story

August 2003 Mailing List: Sign up to receive monthly email updates: print this issue in this issue: cover story: Coastal Circulation Experiment Southwest Central Florida Flood Science Teachers and Curriculum Development Sea Education Association School Children Learn About Sediment WETMAAP Workshops for Teachers American Water Works Association Diversity Days Continental Shelf Limits Tampa Bay Wetland Restoration Research German-American Frontiers of Science Coastal and Marine Geology Program Knowledge Bank USGS Scientist Receives Award from Southern University Visitor from National Research Council August Publications List

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