Changing the Face of STEM: LSAMP/AGEP research conference

The 3^rd Annual LSAMP/AGEP Joint Research Conference was held on Nov. 9 - 10, 2007 at the Indiana University Memorial Union-Bloomington. This year's conference theme, "Changing the Face of STEM", provided a forum where undergraduate and graduate students could present their research to faculty and peers. Administrators and program staff disseminated best practices and strategies to help in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students. Last semester's conference had a record setting attendance of 114 students and 72 faculty and administrators.

Workshops included

• Grad School Unplugged: What to expect (Michael Thompson, Indiana University, Mariah Veit, Purdue, and Melvin Daniels, Northwestern University)
• Balancing life and Academia (Dean Carol McCord)
• Cultural Competency (Dr. Monica Medina, Indiana University Purdue University)
• Funding Opportunities for Grad School (Dr. Pamella Shaw, AGEP/LSAMP director, Indiana University Purdue University)
• Diversity Matters in the Classroom (Dr. Cheryl Judice, Northwestern University)
• Life as a Postdoc
• Writing Personal Statements and CVs
• Pros of Academia and Industry Careers
  
  

One student commented: "I really enjoyed the diversity session with Dr. Cheryl Judice, [Northwestern University AGEP Director]. The group had a very engaging discussion and the session revealed many challenges that a person of color can face in the classroom, either as a teacher or student."

Compact for Faculty Diversity

The Institute on Teaching and Mentoring: Compact for Faculty Diversity was held on Oct. 25-28, 2007 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. Topics discussed included “Writing the Dissertation” to “Balancing Academic Substance with a Polished Presentation”. Conferences are hosted by the institute to further establish their goal of increasing the number of underrepresented minorities earning a doctoral degree and successfully becoming faculty. Four students from Indiana University-Bloomington campus, G. Leah Davis, Yasmiyn Irizarry, Melissa Quintela, and Rose Wilkerson, attended the conference. Their experiences are highlighted below:

For more information on the Institute on Teaching and Mentoring: Compact for Faculty Diversity visit http://www.instituteonteachingandmentoring.org/index.html

It was very empowering to be in the company of over 1,000 minority academics that had either earned a Ph.D. or was pursuing one….The struggles that I have experienced as an African American woman pursuing a Ph.D. at a predominately white university were validated, and I left the Institute feeling empowered.”

G. Leah Davis, IU graduate student

As is common for a first generation, graduate student of color at a “good school” in the Midwest, I had always felt a little isolated in my department and on my campus…... I never knew there were so many students of color pursuing their Ph.D.s. I was able to look out onto a sea of faces that looked like mine and finally feel confident that there IS a place for me when I graduate.”

Melissa Quintela, IU graduate student

The program laid out three days of networking, socializing, and learning that catered to students at all levels of their graduate careers. … Sessions covered topics ranging from strategies for dealing with exams and dissertation writing, to networking and life in the professoriate as a person of color...It was overwhelming to realize that there were so many students of color working towards careers in the professoriate. And while the conference offered an almost overwhelming amount of opportunities, knowing I was not alone in my trek towards a PhD was the most important thing I learned that weekend.”

Yasmiyn Irizarry, IU graduate student

“All in all, the 14th Annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring was a very powerful experience on many levels both personally and professionally. It provided me with fuel and fire to continue on my journey so that I can be of real service in my field. If you have not had a chance to attend this conference, I highly recommend it.”

“Do not miss this opportunity next year.”

Rose Wilkerson, IU graduate student

Getting You into IU

The Indiana University Graduate School hosted a campus visit program: “Getting You into IU” on Sunday evening, October 14 thru Tuesday, October 16, 2007 on its Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses for promising minority students to learn more about our STEM graduate programs. Invited students participated in a number of activities designed to provide insight into life as a graduate student and allow them to make an informed decision about pursuing their graduate degree at IU.

Workshop topics such as “Elements of a Competitive Application” (Dr. Simon Rhodes, School of Medicine) mapped the application process from writing the application to completing the interview. 45% of the students who attended the program applied to IU.