SUSANA M WADGYMAR
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Diversity


“Diversity drives innovation – when we limit who can contribute, we in turn limit what problems we can solve.” –Telle Whitney

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The understanding and practice of science is open to everyone. I welcome people of all backgrounds in to my research program and classroom!

What exactly is diversity?  One of my favorite descriptions comes from Queensborough Community College:

"The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.  It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual."

Why does diversity matter in academia?  Cultivating a diverse and inclusive academic community enhances research quality and enriches learning experiences.  Diverse groups are more creative at problem solving, have better-developed interpersonal skills, and have enhanced self-awareness.  Advancement in science necessitates diversity!

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Here is a sample of literature that demonstrate the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia, characterize patterns of representation and retention in academia, and suggest strategies that can be employed by University/College administration, individual departments, professors, and instructors to combat implicit bias and promote safe and welcoming learning, research, and work environments.

A reflection on faculty diversity in the 21st century, Molecular Biology of the Cell

“We Are All for Diversity, but . . .”: How Faculty Hiring Committees Reproduce Whiteness and Practical Suggestions for How They Can Change, Harvard Educational Review

Without inclusion, diversity initiatives may not be enough, Science

Underrepresentation of Race-Ethnicity across Stages of U.S. Science and Engineering Education, CBE Life Science Edu.

Collaborating With People Like Me: Ethnic co-authorship within the US, NBER Working Paper No. 19905

Faculty of Color in Academe: What 20 Years of Literature Tells Us, Journal of Diversity in Higher Education

Gender-Heterogenous Working Groups Produce Higher Quality Science, PloS one

Males Under-Estimate Academic Performance of Their Female Peers in Undergraduate Biology Classrooms, PloS one

Expectations of brilliance underlie gender distributions across academic disciplines, Science

Retention of Underrepresented Minority Faculty:  Strategic Initiatives for Institutional Value Proposition Based on Perspectives from a Range of Academic Institutions, Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education


The Grass Is Greener in Non-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Classes: Examining the Role of Competing Belonging to Undergraduate Women’s Vulnerability to Being Pulled Away From Science, Psychology of Women Quarterly

Examining the Academic Success of Latino Students in Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Majors, Journal of College Student Development

Giving back of giving up: Native American Student experiences in science and engineering, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology

Why they leave: the impact of stereotype threat on the attrition of women and minorities from science, math and engineering majors, Social Psychology of Education
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Identity and Academic Success among Underrepresented Ethnic Minorities: An Interdisciplinary Review and Integration, Journal of Social Issues

Series from the American Association of Colleges and Universities:
     Making Diversity Work on Campus: A Research-Based Perspective
     Achieving Equitable Education Outcomes with All Student: The Institution's Roles and Responsibilities
     Toward a Model of Inclusive Excellence and Change in Postsecondary Institutions

Universal Design for Instruction: A Framework for Anticipating and Responding to Disability and Other Diverse Learning Needs in the College Classroom, Equity and Excellence in Education

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When starting out as a college student, I was overwhelmed about where to go for help and what resources were available to me.  Below, I provide a collection of support resources, funding opportunities, and mentoring programs available for underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students in ecology and evolution. I am actively curating this list - feel free to send me resources to add!  

Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science

American Indian College Fund

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

Association for Women Geoscientists awards

Disability.gov benefits and scholarship

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program - NOAA

The Gates Scholarship

Golden Door Scholars

Great Lakes Education Corporation awards

Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities

Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference Scholars Program

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

International Student Organization in the USA

McNair list of grants for graduate students

National Black Graduate Student Association

National Indian Education Association

National Research Mentoring Network

Point Foundation's National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund

Scholarship America's scholarship list

Scholarship Point's scholarship list for minority students

Science Ambassador Scholarship

SEEDS, program of the Ecological Society of America

United Negro College Fund

US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation - Scholarship list

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  • Welcome
  • People
  • Research
  • Publications
  • Diversity
  • Photos