Diversity Statement
Earth, environmental, and ocean sciences are of the many scientific fields that lack a diverse representation. Given the lack of diversity in these fields, it is imperative that we make a conscious effort to include everyone in tackling the necessary issues in these fields such as anthropogenic global warming or environmental degradation. Often, underrepresented groups are most effected by climatic, geological, and environmental issues. Therefore I am very passionate about engaging underrepresented groups in the earth and environmental sciences and have done a tremendous amount of diversity initiatives in these fields.
Throughout my academic tenure from Hampton University to Kent State University, I have been deeply passionate about teaching and exposing students, specifically individuals from underrepresented groups to earth and environmental sciences. As an African American male from Lithonia, GA, I know from first-hand experience the importance of teaching and mentoring from dedicated earth and environmental scientists. My career and passion in academia was shaped by these individuals, who dedicated a significant portion of their career in creating pipelines for underrepresented individuals into careers in earth and environmental sciences. During my academic career, I have mentored students in academic research, including underrepresented students in Research for Undergraduate (REU) programs and McNair Scholars, upskilled public-school science teachers, and made a conscious effort of educating the public about earth and environmental science issues. These commitments are reflective of my passion for teaching and sharing knowledge to individuals about earth and environmental science. I believe the best way to engage diverse audience in geoscience is to provide students with opportunities and make it relatable and impactful to their daily activities.
As a product of diversity initiatives in earth and environmental sciences, I am aware of the importance of increasing diversity in higher education. During my post graduate career, I have participated in several programs aimed to increase diversity, most notably the Southern Region Board of Education doctoral program, National Science Foundation GK12 program, and the University of Massachusetts’ Boston Science Partnership (BSP) program. Programs like BSP brought awareness to minority students about STEM careers and opportunities through classroom activities in Boston Public School systems.
As a faculty member at Kent State University, I along with Dr. Joseph Ortiz with the guidance of Terry McGlynn participated in the Sparks for Change Program, this program allowed tenure-track faculty to take an initiative in enhancing diversity in the departments. From this program we were able to bring in undergraduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along with underrepresented students at Kent State to work in research laboratories. Other initiatives that we have implemented within the department are creating pipelines to recruit more students from the Exploratory Department (undecided majors), where many of these students are from underrepresented groups, by reserving seats in introductory and careers in geology classes to give students a snapshot into the life of an earth scientist. We also focused on peer mentorship with upperclassmen and graduate students to serve as mentors for incoming students who expressed interest in earth and environmental sciences to enhance both recruitment and retention, along with creating relationships with high school students taking introductory classes at Kent State, to spark the interest in pursuing an earth science degree at the university.
From these experiences, I believe the best way to engage a diverse audience is to provide them with opportunities to excel in the earth and environmental sciences. I am enthusiastic in engaging underrepresented students who are passionate about the geosciences, along with advancing their excellence through experiential learning. Moreover, supporting faculty in learning how to engage underrepresented students through inclusive ways to expand diversity in earth and environmental sciences. Without meaningful diversity initiatives, we are not fulfilling the promise of higher education, leading to a lapse of solutions to societies problems. It is imperative that we push for diverse representation to advance the future needs of our civilization and close the gaps of social inequality.
Throughout my academic tenure from Hampton University to Kent State University, I have been deeply passionate about teaching and exposing students, specifically individuals from underrepresented groups to earth and environmental sciences. As an African American male from Lithonia, GA, I know from first-hand experience the importance of teaching and mentoring from dedicated earth and environmental scientists. My career and passion in academia was shaped by these individuals, who dedicated a significant portion of their career in creating pipelines for underrepresented individuals into careers in earth and environmental sciences. During my academic career, I have mentored students in academic research, including underrepresented students in Research for Undergraduate (REU) programs and McNair Scholars, upskilled public-school science teachers, and made a conscious effort of educating the public about earth and environmental science issues. These commitments are reflective of my passion for teaching and sharing knowledge to individuals about earth and environmental science. I believe the best way to engage diverse audience in geoscience is to provide students with opportunities and make it relatable and impactful to their daily activities.
As a product of diversity initiatives in earth and environmental sciences, I am aware of the importance of increasing diversity in higher education. During my post graduate career, I have participated in several programs aimed to increase diversity, most notably the Southern Region Board of Education doctoral program, National Science Foundation GK12 program, and the University of Massachusetts’ Boston Science Partnership (BSP) program. Programs like BSP brought awareness to minority students about STEM careers and opportunities through classroom activities in Boston Public School systems.
As a faculty member at Kent State University, I along with Dr. Joseph Ortiz with the guidance of Terry McGlynn participated in the Sparks for Change Program, this program allowed tenure-track faculty to take an initiative in enhancing diversity in the departments. From this program we were able to bring in undergraduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along with underrepresented students at Kent State to work in research laboratories. Other initiatives that we have implemented within the department are creating pipelines to recruit more students from the Exploratory Department (undecided majors), where many of these students are from underrepresented groups, by reserving seats in introductory and careers in geology classes to give students a snapshot into the life of an earth scientist. We also focused on peer mentorship with upperclassmen and graduate students to serve as mentors for incoming students who expressed interest in earth and environmental sciences to enhance both recruitment and retention, along with creating relationships with high school students taking introductory classes at Kent State, to spark the interest in pursuing an earth science degree at the university.
From these experiences, I believe the best way to engage a diverse audience is to provide them with opportunities to excel in the earth and environmental sciences. I am enthusiastic in engaging underrepresented students who are passionate about the geosciences, along with advancing their excellence through experiential learning. Moreover, supporting faculty in learning how to engage underrepresented students through inclusive ways to expand diversity in earth and environmental sciences. Without meaningful diversity initiatives, we are not fulfilling the promise of higher education, leading to a lapse of solutions to societies problems. It is imperative that we push for diverse representation to advance the future needs of our civilization and close the gaps of social inequality.