THE COLLEGE OF CHEMISTRY’S G R A D U AT E S T U D E N T D I V E R S I T Y P R O G R A M
Building a community of belonging BY DENISE KLARQUIST PHOTOS BY BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn’t a topic that’s always addressed in the physical sciences. When the topic is addressed, it’s often given only superficial attention. “DEI in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) isn’t just a conversation about adding diversity,” emphasizes College of Chemistry Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Brice Yates. “DEI in STEM is about how we interact with our students in our spaces — are these spaces inclusive and welcoming for students of all backgrounds?” This perspective, changing the narrative and weaving DEI into the educational fabric, is the foundation upon which the College of Chemistry’s Graduate Student Diversity Program (CCGDP) was built. 10
Launched in Spring 2021 and led by Anne Baranger and Brice Yates, CCGDP supported nine graduate student-led initiatives targeted at improving the pipeline of underrepresented students into graduate school, recruiting, and supporting DEI in the College’s graduate student population, and working with leadership to improve the diversity climate within the College. “Our initial vision was to create a program that would highlight and foster all of the wonderful DEI efforts our graduate students were already doing, on top of their research and coursework,” explains Baranger. “We wanted to have a way for them to receive formal recognition from the College and have their work and activism be more visible to the broader community.”
All photos: College undergraduate and graduate students, and graduate recruits, celebrate at the 150th anniversary party.
College of Chemistry, UC Berkeley
