Diversity Strategic Plan
Improving diversity, climate, and community
UD CHARM is committed to broadening participation of URGs in materials science and STEM through a successful MRSEC experience. Both UD and UD’s College of Engineering have made significant investments to transform the diversity landscape at the undergraduate, graduate, and faculty levels. The UD Office of Equity and Inclusion “provides leadership and support in creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for all in our community.” COE’s strategic diversity plan is being implemented via working groups, and UD also has been fortunate to host a NSF ADVANCE site focused on improving the diversity, climate, and community on campus. We will leverage these resources in promoting URG STEM advancement in all MRSEC activities.
Pre-college students: Leverage existing networks such as FAME/UD (4-week residential program for 10th and 11th graders). Participate in UD’s Annual Art in Science and other community events.
Undergraduate students: Partner with affinity groups to support diversity initiatives and recruit students like UD RISE (Resources to Inspire Successful Engineers), McNair Scholars, and the Greater Philadelphia Louis Stokes Alliance.
Graduate students: Create nurturing spaces and programming through the National GEM Consortium and Bridges to Doctorate program. Expand UD Engineering’s EmPOWER student-led peer mentoring (Law and Epps are advisers). Coordinate with the UD Graduate College Faculty Council (chaired by Zide).
Postdoctoral researchers: Develop enrichment activities such as individual development plans. Raise awareness of external professional resources like AAAS’ Science Careers Development Plan.
Faculty: Foster more inclusive community via systemic changes enabled by NSF ADVANCE findings, including search committee best practices (unconscious bias, active recruitment, definable metrics), leadership development, and mentoring training. Expand Future Faculty Workshops to hard materials.