Knowledge Bank

Kathy Lechman speaks about her work in the Ohio State University Extension Service, part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Lechman has overseen civil rights compliance since her hiring as Director of Equity and Inclusion in November 2001. Though her position and title have not changed, her role has evolved to include overseeing a diversity catalyst team, which she created in 2007, and organizing Diversity Leadership Symposiums. She speaks about how representation does not necessarily indicate equity, and she also talks about the need for the university to strive for both international and domestic diversity. She describes how her experiences have informed the strategies she uses to effect change, specifically discussing her efforts to address structural disparities while she is limited in her access to those in positions of authority who can change those structures.