N.C. Cooperative Extension and our respective partner institutions are committed to nondiscrimination, equality of opportunity, institutional neutrality, academic freedom and student success. This commitment extends to all faculty and staff employment decisions, as well as providing open access to every North Carolinian seeking to participate in our programs and activities.

Under Title VI and Title XII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended, and various federal and state laws and university policies, as well as our personal and organizational beliefs and values, we do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or retaliation on the basis of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation or veteran status in employment or our programs and activities.

In furtherance of these commitments, all Extension employees will: All Extension personnel are expected to understand equal opportunity guidelines and to be in compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) and university guidelines.

• Foster a working environment where all employees feel included and respected while welcoming and supporting audiences of all backgrounds.
• Ensure that our policies and practices respect the range of social and cultural backgrounds contained within our organizations, including volunteers, advisory leadership councils and the communities we serve.
• Promote opportunities for all by actively identifying and remedying barriers to professional growth and participation by all in our programs.
• Experience a working and learning environment free from unlawful discrimination, including harassment.
• Comply with state and federal legislation and university policies on nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
• Provide unfettered access to complaint resolution avenues, free from retaliation, for all employees and program participants.

Nondiscrimination Notices

• Notice of Nondiscrimination | N.C. Cooperative Extension (PDF)
• Notice of Religious Nondiscrimination in Extension Programs | USDA-NIFA (PDF)

Civil Rights and Equal Employment Resources

Our respective institutions provide annual university statements on equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies. Please visit the websites below for more civil rights and equal employment resources:

• USDA-NIFA | Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights
• NC State University | Office of Equal Opportunity
• N.C. A&T State University | Office of Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action

Dr. David Monks
Director, NC State Extension

Dr. Ray McKinnie
Administrator, Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T State University