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April NatSci DEI Newsletter |
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Welcome to the April 2024 NatSci DEI Newsletter! | |
- Upcoming Events and Sponsorships
- Cultural Competency Workshops
- Student Organization Information
- Important Dates
- Lifelong learning
- Health and well-being
- Action List
- Recognitions
- Contact us
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Upcoming Events and Sponsorships | |
Michigan State is celebrating APIDA Heritage Month during March and April! Please review the event mural showcasing the many events held during this time on campus. | |
QPR training is Monday, April 8th from 12-1pm!
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is an evidence-based emergency mental health intervention.
QPR Gatekeeper training is a no-cost, one-hour training that teaches participants to recognize the signs of suicide and the steps to getting a person to help.
QPR training is open to NatSci employees and graduate students.
Register here.
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We invite you to help celebrate this year’s awardees at the Black Faculty, Staff, and Administrators Association’s Eighth Annual Outstanding Leaders Award on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Previously known as the Historical and Emerging Leaders Recognition Reception, the BFSAA Outstanding Leaders Award ceremony will acknowledge the accomplishments of persons across six categories:
- Historical Leader Award
- Contemporary Leader Award
- Community Leader Award
- Pioneer Leader Award
- Inspirational Leader Award
- Emerging Leader Award
- Undergraduate
- Graduate/Professional
This year’s theme, “POV: Standing Strong for Justice and Equity,” allows attendees to experience first-hand accounts of impactful leaders who have navigated, overcome, and survived adversity. Additionally, attendees will gain a better view of what it means to unapologetic support the Black community in and through your work. All are welcome to attend!
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Molecular Plant Sciences, Atrium
5:00 – 7:00 pm, program begins at 5:30 pm.
Please submit your RSVP today.
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Amplify STEM is holding a video initiative this year! Help us amplify the voices of STEM professionals from underrepresented backgrounds! Create a 2-5 minute video highlighting an underrepresented STEM professional, professionals can be past or present. Creators of selected videos will also receive a free Amplify STEM t-shirt. Open to students and employees.
Information and submission link site here.
Access the uploaded videos on this YouTube channel.
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On Tuesday, March 12th, we hosted Dr. Brad Cox, founder of the National College Autism Network, for a one hour webinar titled "Creating Inclusive Spaces for Students with Autism". You may access the webinar above. | |
Cultural Competency Workshops | |
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Registration is now open for the Spring 2024 semester NatSci Cultural Competency Workshops for MSU NatSci employees and graduate students!
Our final workshop is held on:
April 30th, May 1st, 2nd, 3rd (in-person): 9-11:30am, Bessey 106
To learn more about the NatSci Cultural Competency Workshop click here.
Register directly for the workshop here.
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Student Organization Information | |
GWIS (Graduate Women in Science) is hosting several events this month! See the flyers and information below: | |
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Here are a few QR codes that link to ways to support the GWIS group with their April events!
GWIS at Applebees link
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Buzz About Beeswax - Friday, April 12th @6pm at BARRN at Rayla House
Our annual candle-making event! Join us for a fun evening of conversation and learning to make candles with a local family business. Sign up and get the details here
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Wine and Whine - Thursday, April 25th @6pm at Hooked
Our monthly social evening at Hooked bookstore! Sign up here.
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Volunteer Opportunities:
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, email us at midmichigan@gwis.org!
- MSU Science Festival - April 26th from 5-9pm
- Graduate Women in Science Mid-Michigan and Woldumar Nature Association will be hosting a fun evening of science in nature for the MSU Science Festival. We’ll need volunteers starting around 5pm to assist with set-up. The location is at Woldumar Nature Center: 5739 Old Lansing Rd, Lansing, MI.
- There will be small stations of a variety of hands-on activities (planting seeds, dissecting owl pellets, identifying trees, using microscopes and telescopes have been done in the past), where all supplies will be provided by GWIS. Each station will have 1 – 2 volunteers to help. Woldumar staff will also lead activities, such as hikes on the property. There will be a demonstration and explanation of chemical reactions in fire after the s’more station is completed. The event will be held outside with stations under cover in case of rain. Event is geared towards families, but welcome to all ages.
- We are looking for 5-10 volunteers to help pull this off! Please consider volunteering for at least 1-hour shifts, or even the whole night. The campfire and s’mores are always a fun treat to end the semester!
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Mental health and well-being | |
Please take care of your health and well-being. Please use the resources below for support.
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"Please be sure to review and reference the academic calendar. Also be mindful of our Religious Observance Policy and encourage your students to proactively engage with you and work with you on appropriate accommodations. This semester, Passover will fall during our final exams period. No student or instructor who observes this holiday should be expected to take or administer a final exam, especially during the first two observed days. Instructors can work directly with their department chair and dean at the beginning of the semester to determine appropriate accommodations. Additionally, updates to the 2025 calendar and future semesters are reflected on the Office of the Registrar website."
-Thomas D. Jeitschko, Interim provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Religious Accommodation Request form here.
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We have created a document to assist in ordering food. Our Inclusive Dietary Document includes availability of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options for many local places around East Lansing. It also includes "do's and don'ts" for ordering food for inclusive groups. | |
We have created an Inclusive Language Document to assist in replacing harmful language with more inclusive terminology. It provides many words that may be harmful and what you may use to replace them. | |
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Inclusive Pedagogy
Participation in blended courses research project
- Do you teach a blended / hybrid undergraduate course at MSU?
- Are you interested in transitioning your course to a blended format?
- Would like to be part of the study and professional development community related to blended courses?
MSU’s Enhanced Digital Learning Initiative (EDLI) is seeking instructors interested in or already implementing blended undergraduate courses in all disciplines to participate in an NSF-funded study for one or more semestears between Spring 2024 – Fall 2025.
Challenging Classroom Conversations
In today's diverse and complex educational landscape, fostering an inclusive learning environment means embracing a range of perspectives, even when they may seem polarizing. The "Challenging Classroom Conversations" workshop is your guide to effectively preparing for and facilitating discussions on sensitive topics, all while maintaining an environment that supports deep learning and mutual respect.
View complete recruitment information here.
Schedule a consultation
Need assistance or advice about accessibility in your classroom? Request an accessibility consultation with the Instructional Technology and Development group.
Get accessibility training!
Deque University offers online, self-paced training. Deque's comprehensive web and digital accessibility curriculum covers the full range of topics, with classes designed for a variety of professionals.
Schedule a consultation
Need assistance or advice about accessibility in your classroom? Request an accessibility consultation with the Instructional Technology and Development group.
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The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project, a NSF IUSE program, is hosting a six-week, free, open online course from March 4 - April 26, 2024 via edX. Join our community of over 11,000 largely faculty, but also including postdocs, graduate students, and staff, and register for our online course this fall. Our research on over 2,000 completers has demonstrated large growth in:
- Advance awareness, self-efficacy, and ability to cultivate inclusive classroom environments;
- Support your development as a reflective, inclusive practitioner;
- Engage in reflection and discussion around topics of equity and inclusion across a variety of institutional contexts;
- Implement inclusive teaching methods in your classes which will remove common barriers and enhance learning in STEM for all students.
In addition, there are nearly 500 trained facilitators running optional learning communities at more than 140 institutions around the country, half of UERU member schools participate. If you are interested in joining a learning community, please express that interest here.
Please share the information widely with your colleagues and networks - we welcome you to use this email as well as our course flyer.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or would like chat more, please reach out: bennett.goldberg@northwestern.edu
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The University has updated its policies surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions for students and employees.
You can read these updated policies here.
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Applications are open for the second annual Introduction to Field Biology Workshop at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) for Summer 2024! APPLY HERE!
The workshop is a 1-week immersive course from May 5-11th designed to introduce students to a variety of field techniques and experiences in ecology and evolutionary biology. We aim to train and empower students to pursue future opportunities and career paths that involve fieldwork. The workshop is fully funded for all accepted students. Please visit our course website for more information.
If you are interested in future research opportunities and/or pursuing a career path that involves fieldwork, please consider applying, regardless of your experience! *** We strongly encourage students with little to no fieldwork experience and/or students from historically excluded groups to apply. ***
Student applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through April (apply now!!). This workshop is limited to 12 total students (MSU students only). Admitted students will be expected to participate for the entire week (May 5-11). Contact the course instructors with any questions.
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Are you a NatSci RSO with an upcoming event you'd like to spread the word about? Message us on the NatSci DEI Instagram page (natsci.dei) with a flyer and information and we will share it for you!
| If you suspect misconduct has happened or have a concern about it, you can contact the MSU Misconduct Hotline at 1-800-763-0764, or reach out to them at misconduct.msu.edu. | |
The office of ASMSU Student Rights Advocates provides assistance to students in University-related affairs involving the MSU conduct system, residence hall life, and more. The SRA office is not funded by any university department, and operates as a
confidential and independent resource for students. Student Rights Advocates cannot dispense legal advice, For legal advice,
contact Student Legal Services at (517) 353-37163
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The FRIB Project team has received an award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Secretary of Energy, the DOE's highest level of employee recognition of achievement award!
Read the article here
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A NatSci postdoctoral researcher, Maeve McLaughlin, was interviewed for the following article, Transgender scientists speak up about the challenges they face in academia and share how to support them
Read the article here
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Two NatSci students, Libby Ashby and Aaron Philip, were recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship, which gives $7,500 per year grants to sophomores and juniors in STEM career fields!
Read the article here
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We congratulate the NatSci DEI Office's Kendra Pyle for graduating with a graduate degree in social work! We thank you for all the effort and work you've done for NatSci and the DEI Office and wish you luck on your future endeavors. | |
Danielle Flores Lopez (she/her) | |
Interim Assistant Dean of DEI
Director of Academic Advising and Student Success Initiatives
floresd3@msu.edu
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Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
kpyle@msu.edu
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Office Assistant III for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
517-353-4300
goldbl11@msu.edu
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Casey Henley (she/hers)
Director of Online Programs | Neuroscience
Assistant Professor | Physiology
Digital Accessibility Coordinator
mcgove14@msu.edu
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