A Season of Learning and Growth
Greetings GAR Community,
This summer has been nothing short of remarkable, filled with vibrant engagement and impactful collaboration. We've made significant strides in promoting diversity within the STEM disciplines, and I'm thrilled to share these achievements with you all.
Summer 2024 Engagements
From June 3rd to August 9th, we hosted the 2024 Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program, welcoming 21 talented students from HBCUs and HSIs. These scholars delved into an array of research fields, from engineering education to neuroscience. The culmination of their hard work was showcased during our annual poster session and farewell celebration, where each intern shared their accomplishments and future aspirations. I'm eager to see what the future holds for them! A heartfelt thank you goes out to Dr. Negus, Dr. Hisham Ali, and Dr. Randall for enriching our program as guest speakers, to the graduate student mentors who guided our interns, and to the STEM departments and institutes that continually support this initiative.
In a collaborative effort with the NSBE Denver Professionals, GAR distributed 367 backpacks to K-12 students in the Aurora community. This endeavor wouldn't have been possible without the organization skills of the MCDB mailroom and the dedicated GAR fellows who meticulously prepared each backpack. Your efforts have touched many young lives.
This summer also took me to Hartford, CT, where, in partnership with the Leadership Alliance, I led a two-day workshop focused on STEM leadership and personal identity for graduate students. This was a fantastic opportunity for GAR fellows to connect with peers from other institutions. Special thanks to Kelechi Ezema for his outstanding collaboration in developing the workshop curriculum.
Exciting Fall 2024 Programs
As we transition into the fall, several exciting programs await, so be sure to mark your calendars!
- GAR Fellow Welcome Banquet: Join us on September 10, 2024, at 6:30 PM for our Welcome Banquet. This event is designed to introduce incoming GAR fellows to the myriad ways they can engage ]with CU Boulder, especially through our programming. RSVP is required, so don't miss out!
- Boulder Black Blossoms Information Session: Set for August 29, 2024, at 4:30 PM, this virtual session will introduce the Boulder Black Blossoms initiative. Aimed at individuals who self-identify as Black women enrolled in CU Boulder’s STEM Graduate Programs, this program fosters a supportive and reflective community. We're excited to recruit 15 participants for the 2024 cohort, each eligible for a $1,000 stipend upon completion of the year-long program. Make sure to RSVP to learn more about how you can be part of this enriching experience.
For more details on these events and to stay updated on all our activities, visit our events page:
As we look forward to the upcoming semester, I am filled with anticipation for the new opportunities that await us. The work we do here at GAR is vital, and it's your continued support and participation that drive our success. Here's to another season of growth, learning, and community!
Besure to follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on our latest events.
Christina A. Alston, Ph.D
Director, Office of Graduate Access and Retention
Faculty Affiliate, School of Education
Faculty Affiliate, Engineering Education
Chair, Commission DEI, American Society for Engineering Education
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, Colorado 80309
E Christina.Alston@colorado.edu