The Western Tri-State Diversity Innovation Working Group was convened by the EPSCoR representatives from Idaho, Nevada, and New Mexico on September 12-15, 2010 in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. The goal of the meeting was to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that can be implemented throughout the tri-state area to increase participation of and support for underrepresented miniorities (URM) and women in EPSCoR scientific research and, more broadly, in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.
Meeting Objectives - The working group had developed four objectives as a focus for the discussions and decisions of the group in attendance.
1. Increase efforts to recruit URM students and women in EPSCoR scientific research and, more broadly, in STEM disciplines.
2. Develop strategies to effectively retain URM students and women in EPSCoR scientific research and, more broadly, in STEM disciplines.
3. Provide tools needed by faculty to develop effective mentoring skills and foster a campus climate that will positively impact success of URM students and women in STEM disciplines.
4. Promote institutional commitments and develop infrastructure to enhance recruitment, retention, and advancement of URM students and women in STEM disciplines.