About
Road to Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
VTTI's Road to Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) is intended to create and foster a safe, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all personnel at VTTI. RIDE will:1) open channels of communication with senior ride-leadhip; 2) educate VTTI employees on the importance and means of achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion; and 3) strategically execute realistic goals developed based on the needs of students, staff, and faculty.
Inclusion means the recognition, appreciation, and use of the talents and skills of employees of all backgrounds.
Diversity means the practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs found in the United States, including underserved communities.
Equity means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.
Accessibility means the design, construction, development, and maintenance of facilities, information and communication technology, programs, and services so that all people, including people with disabilities, can fully and independently use them. Accessibility includes the provision of accommodations and modifications to ensure equal access to employment and participation in activities for people with disabilities, the reduction or elimination of physical and attitudinal barriers to equitable opportunities, a commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities can independently access every outward-facing and internal activity or electronic space, and the pursuit of best practices such as universal design.
Biden, J. R. (2021, June 25). Executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the federal workforce. The White House. Retrieved November 18, 2021, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/.
VTTI welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and nationalities to join Virginia Tech's mission of Ut Prosim. In order to maintain and celebrate a multicultural environment, and give everyone a home away from home, we have created the International Networking Group as part of RIDE, at VTTI. This group is targeted at international faculty, staff, students, and supporters. The goal is to build community, exchange ideas, and educate and support each other. The group also aims to celebrate diversity, build respect, learn about the rich background of individuals, learn about the struggle as internationals, and communicate with the larger groups at VTTI and Virginia Tech.
PRIDE is a networking group supported by RIDE that is focused on giving recognition and representation to VTTI's LGBTQIA+ employees and allies. We hope to encourage new and existing employees to feel comfortable being their genuine selves without any fear or concern. PRIDE also serves as a resource for VTTI employees in need of assistance or advice on any LGBTQIA+ questions or concerns.
Our goal is to meet and talk about events of the day, as well as steps that can be taken to improve our community here at VTTI and the New River Valley. We are a welcoming space that celebrates what we share rather than our differences.
We hope to have many more dinners, meet-ups, and conversations with existing and new members! We meet once a month, as schedules allow. For more information, please contact Kary Meissner.
VTTI Veterans is a group open to all Veterans, Dependents, and those who wish to support Veteran causes. The goal is to provide valuable information and points of contact for Veteran assistance, and community Veteran involvement with Veteran groups such as the VFW and American Legion, and Virginia Tech Veteran groups. Most VFW work will involve VFW Post 1184 in Pulaski, which coordinates many of their community events with other local VFW Posts and American Legion Posts.
VTTI new employee exchange (NEX) was established for new employees (two years or less) to help build relationships with others, share information, and overall receive a warm welcome to the VTTI family. If you are a veteran employee that would love to offer guidance to new employees, then of course you are welcome to join this group as well. Welcome to the VTTI family.
