"Being an international student, and after working for several years, I was curious to know how graduate school would turn out in terms of developing professional and work relationships. The Bush School provided an excellent environment to connect with other persons sharing the vision of responsible public service at the international level. I am very pleased to say that I had the opportunity to meet many interesting students, and during my time at the Bush School I developed lasting networks and friendships with faculty and fellow students, both international and American. I am glad I chose Texas A&M."
Wiam Ayachi
Bush School Class of 2018
"Diversity is important because it allows us to grow outside our boundaries, break away from preconceived assumptions, and let go of any uncertainties we may have. It helps us learn more about our differences and use them to create a more cohesive and understanding environment where we are able to build on each other’s strengths."
Jamarcus J. Steadham
Bush School Class of 2017
"I think of what Henry David Thoreau said: “It is never too late to give up our prejudices.” As imperfect human beings, we all have prejudices. By “prejudices,” I mean preconceived opinions not based on fact or actual experience. To me, diversity is about learning from others and turning one’s ignorance into knowledge. Diversity provides opportunities to broaden horizons and see the world from other people’s perspectives. I consider myself lucky to be able to discuss Europe’s future with a German friend, or discuss the Arab Spring with an Egyptian-American friend. As a result, I begin to understand the world, and my own country, a little better."
Marita Ivonne Jimenez
Bush School Class of 2018
"I grew on a Mexican-American border town in the two cities that were in many manners dependent on one another. I attended school in both countries back and forth and learnt to love and appreciate both deeply. Traveling to various places of the world has also helped me develop an appreciation for both similarities and differences in in ideas, cultures and traditions. I was sitting in an all-female monastery in Bhutan once speaking to a girl my age and I noticed how although we grew up and lived in different places of the globe in some ways she and I were very similar. Diversity and inclusion is important for me because I firmly believe that an appreciation and interest of diverse backgrounds helps build better and stronger bonds between people helping create a community where individuals know you both understand genuinely care about them."
Erick S. Taylor Jr.
Bush School Class of 2018
"I am a first generation college graduate hailing from one of the most impoverished cities in the nation. Here I am now, attending one of the first-rate institutions in the nation on scholarship, and I do not see very many African American males in my class or in the nation that can say the same. My story is one that could have gone in numerous different ways, but I did not come to a higher place without the intention of reaching back to others. That said, diversity matters to me because, though my accomplishments are not small, they should not be as rare as they are. Diversity matters because the American dream of social upward mobility should be true for every child born under this flag and not just those born in a position of privilege."
Morgan Gray
Bush School Class of 2018
"As a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, I spent the majority of my formative years living within a community disconnected from my tribe and indigenous culture. I noticed that within the public school system I attended, there was little in place that provided support for minorities and students representing diverse populations. Cultural understanding and mutual respect were not actively encouraged in the classroom or within social settings, and I became quite discouraged about the future of diversity and inclusion within the school system. I soon developed a passion for promoting and working towards establishing inclusivity of all cultures within both educational and social settings. I firmly believe that when issues arise in either setting, diversity aids in establishing the most effective solution for all involved. The opportunity to draw upon the wisdom and learning experiences of all cultures results in a collaboration of the most effective solutions."
Heba Baig
Bush School Class of 2018
"Diversity and inclusion creates a more effective learning environment. I attended schools where I was always one of a few Muslim students. Although those environments were not diverse, I believe that both schools had a great sense of inclusion. I never felt insecure in my beliefs because of the people around me. I believe this positively impacted my confidence as a person. My peers were able to learn more about the world through me, and I learned through them. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee strives to build a culture of practicing inclusion. Being a part of that culture is important to me. It has had such an impact on me that I believe it can make a big impact on someone else at the Bush School."
JP Perales
Bush School Class of 2017
"Diversity and inclusion are important because they fosters an environment where different perspectives can be shared. I believe that the ability to comprehend someone’s background and viewpoints is an imperative skill to possess in order to be an effective public servant."
Maribel McMillian
Bush School Class of 2017
"I believe that diversity and inclusion matters to me because it has allowed me to appreciate the world through different perspectives. I believe that everyone has a story and a unique set of life experiences. When people come together, diversity and inclusion provides increased opportunities for participation and engagement. Through open ears and an open mind, I have learned so much from our international students here at the Bush School and from peers visiting from other parts of the country. It has been truly amazing!"
Priscilla R. Barbour
Bush School Class of 2016
"I chose the Bush School because of its emphasis on public service. Out of all the programs I considered, the Bush School was the only one that incorporated a service component in the curriculum. I knew the Bush School would prepare me to not only be a great manager in the public sector, but also a true servant-leader."
Lela Akiashvili
Bush School Class of 2018
"The Earth is a planet of unlimited possibilities. Each person in this world can achieve all they want if they believe. For achieving our dreams, we need to leave our bubble, go beyond our comfort zone, explore the world, see how diverse and different people can be, and learn from them. Diversity enriches us! It opens our eyes in a different way and allows us to see that the horizon is much broader than we imagined. Diversity matters, because diversity brings an opportunity to open ourselves and learn from others in the most natural and constructive environment."
Rebecca K. Lesemann
Bush School Class of 2015
"As an active duty Army officer with over 13 years of experience, I have had the opportunity to lead Soldiers though some of the most challenging situations in the field. Through my two years at the Bush School, I have been able to strengthen my leadership, strategic thinking, problem solving and analytical skills; all of which will make me a better overall officer. Through the efforts of the faculty and fellow students, I feel prepared more than ever to head back to the Army, as an even stronger leader with a refined skill set and a renewed sense of excitement to serve this great nation."
The Bush School Student Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee is a student-led organization that is partnered with the Student Government Association. Its purpose is to provide both a forum, community and safe space for students to discuss issues relating to diversity, inclusion, equity and justice. Previous initiatives have included cultural heritage month events, academic guest speaker series that have a focus on issues regarding race, gender identity, privilege, and women's rights. The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee also provides support to all students that face any sort of discrimination within or outside of the institution and creating safe spaces for all minority students.
DIVERSITY REPORT
KEY Bush School: The Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University LBJ: The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas UCSD: The School of Global Policy & Strategy, University of California, San Diego
