Seed Grant Award: Research and Diversity (R&D)

The goal of the R&D Diversity Initiative (R&D)was to create a community for underrepresented minorities (URM) and first-generation low-income (FGLI) students in STEM while increasing the visibility of professionals from similar backgrounds to provide role models and mentorship opportunities.  By exposing students to accomplished minority role models and their research, we provided real life examples of success in STEM for students of color and inspire their fellow student allies  to push for change.  By emphasizing research in both academia and industry, we exposed students to careers that they may not have otherwise considered including those that are accessible with a BA/BS, more feasible for those that cannot afford to continue their schooling and by providing them with centralized resources to build skills and resumes.

This project was funded through the Addressing Racism: A Call to Action for Higher Education initiative of the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement.