Harnessing Research Partnerships for Diversity Outcomes

1. Harnessing Research Partnershipsfor Diversity Outcomes Michael Wright Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing University of Massachusetts Amherst

2. Broad Base of Nanotechnology Research Over 50 Faculty Members in 8 Departments MassNanoTech Institute Organizing Nano Research, Education, Industry Access, Facilities, and Outreach Throughout UMass Amherst IGERT Program in Nanotechnology Innovation Providing enhanced interdisciplinary training in nanoscale device development, emphasizing technology assessment, commercialization and applications Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing An NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center specializing in innovative manufacturing processes and technologies for materials, devices and systems at the nanoscale

3. Fundamentals • A diverse society needs a diverse S&T workforce • Broad participation is essential • Centers have an obligation to lead • It takes a strategy • Everyone must be involved

4. Data: Fall 2006 Doctoral Students • Minorities • Only 19 out of 834 applicants were minority (2%) • Only 1 new minority student enrolled in 2006 (down from 7 new minority students enrolled in 2005) • No new Black/African American or Hispanic/Latinos • Females • 28.7% of applicants were women students (26.8% in 2005) • 27.5% of entering grad students are women this year (down slightly from 30.4% in 2005) • Departments • Chemistry • Physics • Polymer Science & Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Electrical & Computer Engineering • Mechanical Engineering

5. Data: Fall 2006 Faculty • No net change in past year • One Hispanic male faculty hired in PSE

6. Our Approach • Develop a strategic diversity plan for CHM • Hire Director of Education and Diversity • Teamwork with Northeast AGEP at UMass Amherst • Develop relationships with selected institutions • Invest in a multi-dimensional, long-range, integrated program • Create a culture and community

7. NEAGEP Alliance Institutions Partner Institutions

8. Seven Stages Framework

9. Diversity Plan • Goals • More women and minority students pursuing nanotechnology-related studies • More women and minority faculty pursuing nanotechnology-related research and teaching • More women and minority individuals involved in all aspects of the Center • Build from existing opportunities • Create new opportunities • Develop a well-reinforced ongoing program • Evaluate

10. Student Recruitment: Marketing • Selected institutions • 38 Northeast US institutions with high minority populations • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • University of Puerto Rico: Rio Piedras and Mayaguez • Mount Holyoke College • Northeast AGEP recruitment efforts • Informational materials • National and regional events • REU program marketing • IGERT program marketing

11. University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras • Collaboration Meetings with UPR in 2006 • February 17 and May 17 (in San Juan) • June 8-9 and August 14 (in Amherst) • UPR Researchers Visiting Campus and Participating in CHM Meetings • Ileana Gonzalez (Prof. C. Cabrera)* • Marilin Perez (Prof. G. Morell)* • Joel de Jesus (Prof. R. Katiyar) • UPR-UMass Partnership in UPR EPSCOR Proposal The collaboration with UPR has expanded to an inter-institutional MOU, as UPR advances its nanotechnology research strategy for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

12. Student Recruitment: Tools • Combining budgeted recruitment efforts from NSEC and IGERT programs • Marketing plan for events • Undergraduate Nanotechnology Research Conference • Support for students traveling to UMass for CHM events • Support for faculty outreach and relationship building • Visiting researchers program • NEAGEP Fellowships • 21st Century Nanoscholar Fellowships

13. Student Support • Knowing our nanotechnology students better • Cooperation (example: REU) • IGERT Program in Nanotechnology Innovation • Mentoring program • Student organization

14. Summer Undergraduate Research • 2006 was first year, with 6 participants • 2007 REU program– 9 applications for 5 positions • NEAGEP’s SPUR program--two additional slots for CHM • Upgraded to best campus housing, streamlined stipends, two additional weeks

15. Outreach in Education Activities • Director of Education and Diversity has broad responsibility for outreach • Inbound and outbound field trips • Recruiting urban science teachers for summer workshops • Springfield Tech CC: curriculum development partnership • Undergraduate Nanotechnology Research Conference

16. Faculty Recruitment and Involvement • Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing wants to be helpful • Bridge program introduces faculty to CHM research • $18,000 per year, increasing to $30,000 in Years 3-5 • NEAGEP extended postdoc program with UPR • Campus planning for 250 new faculty over 5 years • Campus process for approving and conducting faculty searches Prof. Derrick Swinton of Lincoln University spent 9 weeks during Summer 2006 in collaboration with CHM faculty in the UMass Chemistry Department, as part of the CHM’s outreach commitment to NEAGEP Partner Institution faculty and students.

17. Summary: Research Partnerships • Northeast AGEP • U. of Puerto Rico • Faculty relationships • Partnership process is ongoing