Focus on the Environment: Recruiting Underrepresented Minority Students into the Geosciences

卫斯理大学将开展一项试点研究，以检验一项多层次战略的有效性，该战略旨在吸引、招募和留住更多未被充分代表的少数族裔(URM)本科生在一所小型文理学院的地球科学领域工作。利用大学和国家科学基金会的联合资金，这个项目将调查所有到达卫斯理的一年级学生对地球科学和户外活动的态度和背景。这些信息将被用来帮助定义地球科学中对URM学生特别感兴趣的特定主题，并确定学生的需求或担忧，这些需求或担忧可能会阻碍他们将这门学科作为专业学习。一个新的关于环境科学、种族主义和正义的研讨会将被开发并提供给新生，这些学生在大一到来之前参加一个暑期研讨会。将为大二新生设立暑期实习，最多5名学生在康涅狄格州环保部和莱格特-布拉希尔斯-格雷厄姆水文咨询公司工作，或者与卫斯理大学或皇后学院的教职员工一起参加暑期研究。为了帮助建立一个支持少数民族学生进入地球科学项目的网络，将创建各种培养社区意识的活动，包括返校节周末地球科学研讨会和接待参加地球科学课程的少数族裔学生及其家庭。为该计划制定的战略如果有效，可作为扩大其他地方类似机构的地学部门参与的模式。

Wesleyan University will carry out a pilot study to examine the effectiveness of a multi-layered strategy to engage, recruit, and retain more underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduate college students in the geosciences at a small, liberal arts school. Using a combination of University and NSF funds, this project will survey all first-year students arriving at Wesleyan about their attitudes towards, and background in, geoscience and the out-of-doors. This information will be used to help define specific topics in the geosciences which are of particular interest to URM students, if any, and identify student needs or concerns that may prevent them from pursuing this subject as a major. A new seminar in environmental science, racism, and justice will be developed and offered to incoming students, who participate in a summer seminar prior to arriving on campus for their freshman year. A summer internship for rising sophomores will be established, with up to 5 students working at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the hydrological consulting firm of Leggette, Brashears & Graham, or participating in summer research experiences with Wesleyan University or Queens College faculty. To help build a network of support for minority students entering the geoscience program, a variety of activities that foster a sense of community, including a Homecoming Weekend geoscience seminar and reception for minority students taking geoscience courses and their families, will be created. The strategies developed for this program, if effective, may serve as a model for broadening participation in the geoscience departments at similar institutions elsewhere.