Page 10 - CEMS Newsletter Fall 2023

DEI UPDATE
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Updates from Spring semester 2023 from various DEI groups.
Planning for First-Year Graduate Students
The DEI Working Group Climate Committee has started a program for current CEMS graduate students to share advice about academic, social, and lifestyle adjustments with first-year students. This effort aims to benefit
all students, but especially those in marginalized or nontraditional identity groups in postgraduate STEM education.
Providing first-year students with this information at the beginning of their graduate careers will reduce some
of the uncertainties surrounding their graduate student experience and education, while offering guidance on how to build healthy social networks within their cohorts and the broader Twin Cities community.
Science for All Outreach
The “Science for All” (SFA) group, comprised of College of Science and Engineering (CSE) graduate students, hosted a three-day on-campus site visit in May for students from Andersen United Middle School, Heritage Academy,
and Murray Middle School. SFA Co-Presidents and CEMS graduate students, Rohan Chakraborty and Maya Ramamurthy, organized almost 30 volunteers and over 100 students for the field trip series.
Over the course of three days, SFA volunteers conducted science demonstrations and offered lab tours for the visitors. The visiting students also learned about the various career options in STEM through conversations with CSE graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty members. The event concluded with the visitors sampling ice cream made from liquid nitrogen and additional demonstrations regarding the effects of very cold temperatures on different materials (balloons, rubber bands, marshmallows and cheese puffs dipped in liquid nitrogen). It was a successful event and likely inspired some students to pursue science and engineering!
Second Annual IDEAS Awards
Numerous members of the CEMS community were honored for their efforts as part of the second annual
CEMS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action and Service (IDEAS) Awards. The awards recognize various contributions to the constant betterment of the shared CEMS community. Winners included Dr. Raisa Carmen Andeme Ela (postdoctoral scholar), Ashlie Hamilton (undergraduate student), Daniel Krajovic (graduate student) and Kacey Gregerson (staff). The winners received certificates and e-gift cards.
Honorable mentions were awarded to graduate student Annie Moorhead & undergraduate students Maya Albright and KD DeAcetis. They received certificates.
The selection committee consisted of CEMS students, faculty and staff who also serve in DEI roles such as the CEMS DEI Working Group, Students Organizing Against Racism (SOAR), CEMS Women+ Group, and Mental Health Advocates.
Women+ Group Events
The Women+ Group hosted events that brought together both graduate students and undergraduate students. The Women+ Group first celebrated sisterhood and platonic friendships among people of all genders by hosting a celebratory Galentine’s Day Lunch. “Galentine’s Day”
was created by Amy Poehler’s Parks and Rec (TV show) character Leslie Knope and occurs annually on February 13. On the show, Galentine’s Day is a celebration of female friendships – “Ladies celebrating ladies.” The group brought together almost 70 undergraduate and graduate women and non-binary students in CEMS for a pasta lunch and shared fun Galentine’s Day cards. In the summer, the group also hosted a Coffee and Bagel Hour outdoors for the MRSEC REU women and non-binary students to meet current CEMS graduate students and hear about their experiences in graduate school. It was a great break from the undergraduate students’ full-time research schedule to make connections and learn more about what CEMS has to offer.
Graduate Student Committee Community Building
The Graduate Student Committee (GSC) hosted multiple events in Spring semester 2023. Throughout January
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