When’s the last time you thought about what being a public servant really means for us at the U.S. Census Bureau? This question transcends our specific roles and contributions associated with our job titles. As I’ve often said, every person at the Census Bureau contributes critically to our mission, period. Without our single enterprise, community-of-the-whole effort, we would not be effective. We all must do our parts toward the common good.

Consider our mission as the leading provider of quality data on our nation’s people, places and economy. For whom do we provide our statistical data? Yes, we have many historical data user constituencies – federal, state and local government, the business sector, policy researchers, advocacy groups, scholars, students, to name a few.

But I like to think that our data are literally for every person residing in our nation. And if we are true public servants, then we’re obliged to offer our statistical data products in a way that is consumable to the public, to everyone. This includes but transcends our historical data constituencies to embrace all who do not yet know about or appreciate the exquisite value and potential of our statistical data.

One critically important way we do that is through continuous engagement with communities across America to hear about their local data needs.

Toward that end, I – accompanied by many of my Census Bureau colleagues – have participated in many engagement activities across our great nation. In April, I shared some of my travels and engagements from the beginning of this year. But we never stopped! So, here’s a quick update on what’s been happening since my last report.

In April, May, June and July, we expanded our outreach to include meeting with communities, partners, data users and the media in eight states (California, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas) as well as in the District of Columbia. Many of these locations include areas and populations that have been historically undercounted.

By leveraging existing trusted ecosystems, we conducted meaningful, specific conversations with advocacy and community-based organizations, chambers of commerce, government colleagues, tribal leaders, businesses and academics. I appreciate their willingness to engage in a two-way flow of ideas, share suggestions and voice concerns. We have shared their input with Census Bureau staff and program areas tasked to address them.

Here are some highlights:

• I spoke to students and graduates at North Carolina State University and San Antonio College. As they began their post-graduate lives, I reminded them of the value of bringing their own diverse perspectives to their work and encouraged them to do so. I’m so proud that the Census Bureau is supporting opportunities for new graduates to pursue careers in data science; they can support and grow census data programs that describe and serve richly diverse communities. Yes, it was a tremendous honor to receive honorary degrees from both institutions: a doctorate of science from NCSU and an associate degree from SAC.  But it was more important to communicate our eagerness to hear and include their diverse perspectives. All who listened were invited to be a part of our Census Bureau team. And we welcomed any thought, suggestion or concern they have to offer.