A word from the Associate dean

Dear Mellon College of Science Community Members and Allies,

I have just completed my first year as the inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in MCS, and I am proud to be addressing you in the first issue of The Differential Newsletter. As a Ph.D. alum of Mathematical Sciences in MCS (’08), I am very happy to be back at Carnegie Mellon University. It has been a very busy and productive year for the college as a whole but especially for DEI. My office is devoted to creating a culture within MCS that allows for us to create extraordinary science and be ourselves at the same time. We are leading this college-wide effort by offering supports, programs, opportunities and initiatives that are designed to create a diverse and inclusive community of extremely talented and critically conscious scientists.

I am excited to announce our office has begun to build a passionate, talented team of diversity specialists to engage students, staff, faculty, the community and beyond in the work of inclusive excellence. Our team includes Senior Program Manager Demetrius Baldwin and Program Manager Cassandra Rios. Demetrius will be responsible for leading our efforts with faculty, staff, postdocs and outreach, while Cassandra will lead us with graduate, undergraduate and visiting student efforts. Together, we are excited to begin building the new culture of science that not only advances innovation and knowledge but advocates for equity and diversity.

At MCS, we are committed to weaving DEI into the fabric of the experiences of our students, staff and faculty, whether it is to support a department-level committee or a summer undergraduate research experience like SUAMI (a program I myself matriculated through which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year). We have conducted a number of dialogues and workshops meant to provide new ways of looking at issues of race, ethnicity, culture and gender identity to enhance the experiences of our members. We are striving to disrupt incomplete and incorrect narratives about how science, at its best, is done and who is doing it. As we create policy that educates us and removes barriers, access and opportunities will bloom that will create a culture of inclusive excellence, making us leaders in the science of belonging, a goal we see as imperative to our overall mission of MCS.

Please take some time to get to know Demetrius, Cassandra and me, along with the many ways MCS is leading the way on inclusive excellence and belonging. We are here to support and connect people within the MCS community. We would love to hear from you about your needs, as well as ways that you feel you can contribute to the mission.

Michael Young
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Mellon College of Science