Workshop on Diversity and Inclusion hosted by SMTI and ASCN (Accelerating Systemic Change Network)

This year immediately following the NSEC 2017 National Conference, we are hosting a workshop for practitioners engaged in improving undergraduate STEM education and experts in higher education change, with a focus on diversity and inclusion. This SMTI and ASCN (Accelerating Systemic Change Network) joint workshop will be an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and practice on transforming institutions, and network with others involved in similar change projects.

  • Dates: June 24-25, 2017. Immediately follows the NSEC 2017 National Conference.
  • Start Time for SMTI/ASCN 2017: 3:00 pm CT, June 24, 2017
  • End Time for SMTI/ASCN 2017: 5:30 pm CT, June 25, 2017
  • Location: Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.
  • Purpose: This meeting will be an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and practice on transforming institutions. We are bringing together faculty who are researching systemic change at higher education institutions with those who are making systemic change happen at their individual institutions. This will be of particular interest to center directors and staff.
  • Audience: Any faculty, staff, and/or administrators who are implementing programs to improve undergraduate STEM education, and faculty who are researching systemic change at higher education institutions.
  • Theme: The theme will be on diversity and inclusion in undergraduate STEM education; however, all researchers and practitioners are welcomed.
  • Registration coming in Feburary

Call for Proposals:

  • Poster Session - we will have a poster session at the workshop for you to share your successful programs and practices in increasing diversity and inclusion. You can send us your poster abstract here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZLWZTV9
  • Case studies - we have an opportunity for you to share what is working on your campus to build more diverse and inclusive STEM learning environments by submitting a case study. This case study will give you the opportunity to share your experiences (both good and bad) with other change agents as well as to get useful feedback from ASCN.

Pre-case study discussion

If you have a program, practice, or change effort around diversity and inclusion, please contact Kacy Redd at kredd@aplu.org to discuss this opportunity in more detail. We are looking for case studies from a diversity of institutional types.

If your case is selected for the meeting, we will ask that you develop a written case study by March 17, 2017.

Selected case studies will also be eligible for travel funding of up to $500.00 for participation at the workshop.

Case Study

An important part of the workshop will focus on 2-3 case studies of change initiatives. Institutions will submit cases in advance and they will receive feedback from ASCN working groups. Both parties will work together to frame the case in a way that will be useful for others.

Cases can be at any phase of development, but should be focused on issues of diversity and inclusion.

The information you include with your case study is somewhat flexible. We suggest the following types of information be included:

1. Institution Name

2. Project Title

3. Project website address (if any)

4. Major goals, outputs and outcomes of your Project that address improving student learning, experiences and/or success. (300 words)

5. Your "Origin Story." How and when did this project come to be? Who initiated it, who was on the team and how has the team changed over time (if at all)? (maximum 300 words)

6. Current status of your project. Include information on the following, if you can: major milestones, timelines, funding, assessment data, institutional priorities. (maximum 300 words)

7. Your program evaluation plan, data, and analysis undertaken to evaluate success and impact of your program (maximum 300 words).

8. Your current challenges? (maximum 200 words)

Please submit your case study to Kacy Redd at kredd@aplu.org by March 17, 2017.

Presentation at the Workshop

At the workshop, each case will be jointly presented for discussion by a leader of the project as well as by ASCN working group members. After the case presentations, there will be opportunities for other workshop participants to connect the cases to their own work.

We anticipate an audience of 60 workshop participants who are STEM Education Center directors, program directors of improving undergraduate STEM education projects, and experts in higher education change, with a focus on building more diverse and inclusive learning environments.

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) launched the Science and Mathematics Teaching Imperative (SMTI) in 2008. It is a community of faculty, department chairs, deans, and provosts who are engaged in improving STEM teaching and teacher preparation.

The Accelerating Systemic Change Network (ASCN)is a network of individuals and institutions, formed with the goal of more quickly advancing STEM education programs. Our unique approach is to bring together those who are researching systemic change at higher education institutions, with those who are making systemic change happen at their individual institutions. By closing the loop between researchers and change agents, we aim to accelerate change at program and institution levels, and to improve STEM education nationally.