(First Row L-R) Elia Olivares, Michele Morgan, Christie Klimas, Cricel Molina de Mesa, Windsor Aguirre and Christine Bonheim. (Back Row L-R) Roxanne Spurlock, Erin Berkowitz, Mark Potosnak, Tim French and Sarah Bockting-Conrad. (Photo by Alex Soares/DePaul University) Careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are in high demand: Nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce is now
working in STEM. However, access to degrees in STEM still lags for women and many minority groups. This fall, 12 faculty at DePaul were lauded for their work to help close this gap.
The Provost’s Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recognizes faculty members who demonstrate an exceptional dedication to promoting inclusive, diverse and equitable scholarship, community-building and more. This year, the provost bestowed the group award to faculty on the College of Science and Health Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
“Across DePaul, faculty and staff are working to support student success, boost belonging and close the achievement gap,” Provost Salma Ghanem says. “The College of Science and Health has emerged as a leader in this area, and this committee has been a driving force behind their success.”
Cricel Molina de Mesa, an assistant professor of health sciences, is the college’s diversity advocate. She leads the committee, which is charged with increasing awareness of diversity and maintaining an inclusive environment and sense of belonging within the CSH community.
Since its formation in 2020, the committee has grown to include a faculty or staff representative from nearly every department within the college and both undergraduate and graduate students. The group takes multiple approaches, including sponsoring programming and advising the dean on needs and opportunities related to DEI.
The work of the committee is already contributing to change in the college. From 2020 to 2023, the number of first-generation students who return for a second year of study in the college rose by 21%.
“By actively addressing issues of belonging and ensuring that all voices — whether from faculty, staff or students — are heard and valued, the committee has played a pivotal role in the College’s successes in closing the retention gap,” says Stephanie Dance-Barnes, dean of the College of Science and Health. “Their targeted efforts, from the 'Conversations in Color' series to consistent engagement in DEI training, have created a community where all members feel seen and supported."
One of their first projects was a three-part facilitated discussion series, Conversations in Color. Held early in 2023, these sessions encouraged people of color in the DePaul community to share their experiences and be heard by their colleagues.
“Conversations in Color was an event that propelled us into doing more to address DEI issues in our CSH community because we realized that people have different experiences around DEI in higher education,” Molina de Mesa says.
Early on, members identified a need to increase a sense of community among college faculty, staff and students. With this in mind, the team hosted the inaugural CSH Fest in September of 2023. This year's CSH Fest took place on Sept. 26. All 12 units in the college were present at the festival, along with a number of student organizations welcoming students with games and carnival snacks.
In an effort to provide DEI training and spaces for sharing and reflection, the CSH DEI Committee piloted a Brown Bag Lunch Series in early 2024. This event, open to all CSH faculty and staff, includes topics like worldview, positionality and inclusivity in interactions with students.
The committee’s emphasis on including students and staff embodies its goal to consider as many perspectives as possible. In addition to the faculty recognized by this award, staff members Erin Berkowitz, Christine Bonheim, Nicolette Listenbee and Ozlem Elgun Tillman were instrumental in pursuing the committee’s goals.
“The students on the CSH DEI Committee are so dedicated to this work and really see the importance of DEI,” Molina de Mesa says. “I’m sure that it can be intimidating to be a student working with a group of faculty and staff on DEI issues, but they have risen to the challenge. None of this work would be possible without the staff and students on this committee.
Increasing success and graduation rates for students from all backgrounds is one of the pillars of the
Designing DePaul framework. Committees throughout the university are renewing their commitment to eliminating the achievement gap within each college.