The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is pleased to share that its Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has received the 2024 CAS Dean’s Award for the Promotion of Diversity and Inclusiveness.
The Department is recognized due to their remarkable, comprehensive efforts to foster an inclusive environment. Not only does the Department feature highly unusual (among chemistry departments) racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, but they also deliberately cultivate and enhance this inclusive environment through such efforts as:
- Administering surveys to determine departmental climate and opportunities for growth.
- Hosting a myriad of activities to foster a welcoming environment, such as potlucks, book clubs, fishing clubs, and more.
- Creating committees and groups to support all its members, including a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Committee and a UNCG chapter of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Engineers (NOBCChE).
- Performing extensive science community outreach to help build a pipeline to STEM careers, especially among underrepresented groups.
- Creating strong mentorship programs to engage students of all backgrounds in scientific research.
On Tuesday, September 10, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry – led by Drs. Nadja Cech and Maia Popova – gave a presentation at the Alumni House to discuss these efforts. They also facilitated a brainstorming session about how to continue growing and fostering inclusion in an academic environment more broadly.
“I am so pleased to present this award to our Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, who serve as leaders in the College, University, and nation for best practices in inclusive excellence,” said Interim Dean Amy Adamson.
View photos and learn more about the event below:
Read more about the Department’s impact and initiatives:
Story by Elizabeth Keri, College of Arts & Sciences
Photography by Kennedy Childs, College of Arts & Sciences
