Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder, are committed to creating a fair and equitable environment that nurtures an inclusive, innovative, and creative community. To achieve these goals, we guide our actions by the following core values:
- We can best foster excellence by treating every individual with dignity and respect, by upholding the importance of scientific inquiry and curiosity, and by rewarding open conversations and collaborative work.
- Our community is stronger when it welcomes, values, and listens to the voices of individuals from a wide diversity of backgrounds and experiences and with different identities and beliefs.
- Since our collective triumphs depend on the success of every one of our community members, we must work to provide individuals with opportunities that will help them grow and thrive.
- To ensure that our community is one where every member feels secure and welcome, we endeavor to listen, reflect, assess, and adjust our course of action as we learn better ways to support every individual.
To build a flourishing and inclusive community that reflects these values requires that we, the departmental leadership, faculty, staff, postdocs, and students at every level, come together in a concerted effort. Recognizing that members of historically underrepresented and underserved groups can face particular challenges in having access to resources and opportunities that will help them grow and thrive as individuals and professionals, we stand together in allyship and solidarity. To that end, we promote research and community-building opportunities to all students, regardless of their backgrounds, and especially those who may come from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. Ultimately, we aim to foster a sense of belonging in all who join our community.
Our department is deeply committed to and internationally recognized for our research and education of the next generation of leaders in the field. We deeply value the directions that each of our community members has pursued on reaching CU Boulder and the paths they forge in the next stages of their careers. To support our community members in their interests, we provide cutting-edge opportunities across a wide range of chemistry disciplines, resulting in world-class innovation in topics such as chemical synthesis, renewable energy, atmospheric pollution, and advanced spectroscopy techniques, and facilitate collaborations with other departments, and with research institutes and agencies such as the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), JILA, LASP, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), among others. Across all areas and career levels, we commit to providing training and mentoring in an inclusive and supportive manner so that our community members can excel.
Our department works to advance the broader mission of the University of Colorado, which serves Colorado, the nation, and the world through leadership in high-quality education and professional training, public service, and advancing public knowledge. Further, we recognize and honor our responsibility for educating the next generation of citizens and leaders and for fostering the spirit of discovery through research. We endeavor to support our community of students, faculty, and staff and be inclusive of individuals of every race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, religious or political beliefs, and socioeconomic, veteran, or disability status. We invite those who embrace our core values to join us, collaborate with us, and participate in our exciting initiatives. To learn more about our efforts and other resources available, we invite you to explore the following programs and resources:
Chemistry Department
Broader efforts at CU Boulder
Colorado Advantage: is a graduate preview weekend for students applying to STEM doctoral programs at CU Boulder.
: student-run seminar series that focuses on inspiring students from underrepresented backgrounds to be successful academics by highlighting minority scholars who serve as role models to members of the campus community, and by providing guidance and professional opportunities to students of CU Boulder and the surrounding community.
MASP – Miramontes Arts & Sciences Program: supports and offers motivated traditionally underrepresented and/or first-generation students a participation scholarship and access to dedicated space for activities, advising, studying, and seminars. MASP emphasizes matriculation, retention, and post-graduate success from the College of Arts & Sciences by providing students access to resources, enrichment opportunities, and one-on-one academic support and guidance.
Office of Diversity, Equity & Community Engagement
oSTEM – Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math @ CU Boulder
: was founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman and creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.
SASE – Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
SMART – Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training program: intended for undergraduates planning to pursue graduate degrees in STEM, SMART offers students the opportunity to conduct research with a faculty mentor and participate in workshops to strengthen scientific writing and oral presentation skills. SMART interns earn upper-division undergraduate credit in independent study and receive a stipend, room and board, and travel expenses.
STEM Routes: was founded and is run by traditionally underrepresented and first-generation graduate students to teach undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds about research through educational workshops, community, and mentorship.
: is committed to providing coaching, mentorship, a platform for discussion, networking, and support to encourage and inspire women in STEM throughout their professional careers.
External resources
: database of chemists
: future faculty workshop