Inclusivity expert to speak Sept. 26

Cay Leytham-Powell — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 22:13:14 +0000

Inclusivity expert to speak Sept. 26 Cay Leytham-Powell Thu, 09/14/2023 - 16:13

Professor Michael Summers will reflect on his time with the Meyerhoff Scholars Program and what lessons can be learned

What does it take to excel at creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for graduate students in STEM?

That’s the question that Michael Summers, a chemistry professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will discuss during his lecture on Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center – Ice Rink Overlook Conference Space titled: Successful and replicable programs for promoting inclusive excellence in STEM. The event is free and open to everyone, but registration is required.

Mike Summers. Photo courtesy of Mike Summers.

During this hour-long talk, Summers will reflect on the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, which he has led since its inception in 1993.

The Meyerhoff Scholars Program has been recognized by the National Science Foundation and the New York Times for its work increasing retention and academic performance of historically marginalized undergraduates in STEM, and for preparing those undergraduates to pursue and succeed in graduate and professional programs.

More than 1500 students from the program have graduated since it began, of which more than 426 alumni have earned PhDs, 74 have earned MD-PhDs, 160 have earned MDs, and 330 have earned master’s degrees. Seventy-one alumni currently hold faculty appointments at universities like Duke University, University of Michigan, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Summers will also discuss efforts to reproduce this program at other universities that have been similarly successful, and what lessons can be learned.

Mike Summers is a chemistry professor and the leader of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator with a research focus on the molecular structures and mechanisms associated with the genetic packaging and assembly of HIV.

Through this work, he has received numerous national awards in recognition of his outstanding mentoring of students, particularly historically marginalized students in STEM graduate programs.

More information on the event, including how to register, is available here. This event is hosted by the Graduate School and the Department of Biochemistry.

Professor Michael Summers will reflect on his time with the Meyerhoff Scholars Program and what lessons can be learned.

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Mike Summers with the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. Photo courtesy of Mike Summers.

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Mike Summers with the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. Photo courtesy of Mike Summers.

Colorado Diversity Initiative director announces retirement

Cay Leytham-Powell — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 17:09:02 +0000

Colorado Diversity Initiative director announces retirement Cay Leytham-Powell Tue, 02/07/2023 - 10:09

Barbara Kraus, who’s worked for �� Boulder for over 30 years, will retire at the end of this month

Colorado Diversity Initiative Director and Founder Barbara Kraus is retiring at the end of this month, following a successful decades-long career preparing students for STEM fields of study at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Kraus began her career within the Graduate School but, after receiving two major federal grants at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health with the faculty support of Professor James Curry and Professor Emeritus Bob Boswell, left to create a brand-new program: the Colorado Diversity Initiative.

The Colorado Diversity Initiative, which is part of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, oversees several programs at �� Boulder, including the SMART (Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training) program, that promote diversity among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. These programs do that by preparing undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds for graduate school and offering educational and mentorship opportunities for graduate students.

Since its inception, the program has helped prepare hundreds of students for graduate school.

In addition to her work with the Colorado Diversity Initiative, Kraus has also helped faculty across campus prepare federal grants for submission.

“Barbara has been a huge asset to the university for many years. Her work to assist faculty to shape their proposals to successfully compete for and receive grants has had a huge impact on the research opportunities at �� Boulder. Equally impactful has been her tireless work in encouraging and providing support to students, often under-served, to get them into STEM fields of study and graduate school,” said Christopher Pacheco, the acting vice provost and associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion at �� Boulder.

“We want to thank her for her many years of service and dedication to the university and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Barbara Kraus, who’s worked for �� Boulder for over 30 years, will retire at the end of this month.

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Inclusivity expert to speak Sept. 26

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Colorado Diversity Initiative director announces retirement

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