About
Message from the PI
Over the past four years, ßÙßÇÂþ» faculty have received $4 million in research grants from the Sloan Foundation and the National Science Foundation to maintain our momentum in fostering greater diversity in STEM doctoral programs.
We envision the Center will help institutionalize these gains, while catalyzing new
faculty mentoring and graduate student success initiatives for the entire University.
If we are going to envision broader participation of underrepresented groups in engineering,
computer science, and scientific disciplines, it is critical that students have faculty
role models who they can relate to and emulate.
Goal
The goal of the Sloan Foundation University Center of Exemplary Mentoring (UCEM) at
the ßÙßÇÂþ» is to institutionalize best practices in graduate
student success (recruitment, retention, mentoring, professional development, and
career awareness) and inclusive excellence within STEM departments. Scholars received
enhanced financial and academic support for retention and professional development
activities.
Measurable objectives include:
1) utilize evidence-based strategies to recruit 60 underrepresented (URM) PhD students
in Engineering and Marine Science;
2) establish multi-dimensional (MDM mentoring model (research mentor, academic/well-being mentor, near-peer, and alumni) to foster academic/social integration and post-graduate career awareness; and
3) implement a Professional Development Certificate for increased intellectual exchange , community-building, and student well-being among Sloan scholars and their peers on both campuses.
Dr. Jose Zayas-Castro
Principal Investigator and Director
Professor, Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering