July Expert Panel: HBCUs as a Strategic Resource to Advance Diversity in STEM

Overview Discussion Blog Expert Panel Resources Synthesis Brief

Recorded July 20, 2020 at 3:00PM EDT

Description: In response to the recent racial unrest, the National Science Board (NSB) issued a statement on racism calling for "increased inclusion of Black people in Science and Engineering (S&E) at all levels, from the classroom to the research lab to the boardroom... We recognize the unique legacy and important role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in contributing to the S&E research enterprise and in educating future STEM leaders." In partnership with the QEM Network, the STEM for All Video Multiplex will showcase HBCU-based research that advance opportunities in STEM for underrepresented students. The videos and panel discussion will cover the latest scientific innovations at HBCUs, and explore ways to use HBCUs as a strategic resource to advance excellence and diversity in STEM.

MODERATOR AND PANELIST BIOS

Moderator:

Dr. Ivory A. Toldson is the president and CEO of the QEM Network, professor of counseling psychology at Howard University and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Negro Education. Previously, Dr. Toldson was appointed by President Barack Obama to devise national strategies to sustain and expand federal support to HBCUs as the executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCUs). He is also a co-PI on the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub, funded to lead and serve the NSF INCLUDES National Network.

Panelists:

Dr. Sarah Krejci, Assistant Professor of Biology and Integrated Environmental Science, Bethune-Cookman University.
Dr. Krejci established the Aquatic Research Laboratory at Bethune-Cookman University which provides students with professional training in field and laboratory marine science research. She also develops and tests educational interventions for improving student academic success in STEM and is the Education Coordinator at B-CU for NOAA's Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, which educates and trains underrepresented students in NOAA-related fields.
View her video: Socioscientific Argumentation Intervention

Dr. Kinnis Gosha is a Hortenius I. Chenault Endowed Associate Professor in Computer Science and the Division Chair for Experiential Learning and Interdisciplinary Studies at Morehouse College. He is also the Director of the nationally recognized Culturally Relevant Computing Lab. This lab is the largest producer of African American computer science undergraduates in the nation who go on to doctoral programs in computing. Students in the lab work on projects in the areas of computer science education, broadening participation in computing, conversational agents and social media data analytics.
View his video: Using Conversational Agents to Broaden Participation in CS

Dr. Celeste M Brown, Associate Research Director, Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences, Tennessee State University.
View her video: Dare to Dream: STEM Saturday at TSU

Dr. Ann Podleski, Professor of Mathematics, Chair, Department of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Harris-Stowe State University.
Ann Podleski is a Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Sciences at Harris-Stowe State University. Dr. Podleski has been involved in securing and managing grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education to boost retention, success, and graduation of students underrepresented in STEM fields. Dr. Podleski’s work has contributed to increased research opportunities for Harris-Stowe faculty and students and has created STEM outreach activities for local high school students and teachers. Harris-Stowe was recognized as the 2019 STEM program of the year by Diverse Issues in Higher Education.