DIVERSITY UPDATE
The College kicks off 5-year Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging plan During the 2021 spring semester, the College of Chemistry developed a 5-year Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Strategic Plan with many stakeholders from the College’s faculty, students, and staff. The plan is comprised of four major goals that the College aspires to accomplish. Enhance diversity in the College at all levels through increased recruitment of students, faculty, and staff that are broadly representative of the diverse population of California. Sustain diversity in the College by ensuring an inclusive climate, welcoming to all students, faculty, and staff regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability status.
During the spring semester the College launched the Graduate Diversity Program, with 29 students working in 11 groups, developing programs and initiatives that focused on:
Build on the inclusive climate in the College to maximize the retention, graduation, and diverse career opportunities of undergraduate majors and graduate students, eliminating disparity in access and opportunities among diverse groups.
recruiting and supporting diversity in the College graduate population, and
Implement best practices for mentoring and career development for faculty and staff that promote equitable opportunities for academic and career success.
The new Summer Bridge program (see page 4), launched this year with support from alumni David Gee and David Lieu and their families, was developed to support incoming first year undergraduates to succeed and become part of the College community. Thirteen students were a part of the first cohort. Also, a mentoring program to connect incoming transfer students to graduate student and alumni mentors was initiated and will continue to expand in upcoming years (see page 8).
Having a pulse on the College climate is integral as we continue to enhance our DEIB programs. An undergraduate climate survey was developed this year to measure areas of strength, weakness and opportunities related to DEIB. The Chemistry Department’s Chemistry Graduate Life Committee continues
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to administer their annual Departmental Climate survey and accompanying Sense of Belonging survey. The CBE Department’s Graduate Student Advisory Committee has administered their annual Graduate Student Report on Climate Survey. These surveys help grow the College’s understanding of the important issues and concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion from our undergrad and graduate students.
improving and supporting the pipeline into graduate school,
working with College leadership to improve the climate of the College.
