The Office for Equity and Inclusion coordinates five Wesleyan cohort programs: the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, the Wesleyan Math and Science Scholars Program (WesMaSS) and the Upward Bound Math-Science Program. Together, these communities make up the Pathways to Inclusive Education (PIE).
The purpose of PIE is to increase a sense of community amongst students, faculty and staff. Our goal is to remove obstacles along the pathways to secondary and post-secondary education for students in grades 9 through 16, who come from historically underrepresented backgrounds and to provide opportunities and access to programs that require complex thinking and a complex interdisciplinary understanding of belonging in the pursuit of excellence.
- Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Program assists students from under-represented groups in preparing for, entering and progressing successfully through postgraduate education. Since 2007 the program has supported dozens of students—many of whom were first-generation college, low-income and from groups underrepresented in graduate school. The program provides guidance, research opportunities and academic support to students planning to pursue PhDs. Erika Taylor, associate professor of chemistry, environmental studies and integrative sciences serves as the group’s faculty advisor and Ronnie Hendrix serves as the Associate Director.
- Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) aims to increase the number of minority students and others with a demonstrated commitment to eradicating racial disparities who will pursue PhDs in core fields in the arts and sciences. The program aims to reduce over time the serious underrepresentation on faculties of individuals from certain minority groups, as well as to address the attendant educational consequences of these disparities. The program serves the related goals of structuring campus environments so that they will be more conducive to improved racial and ethnic relations and of providing role models for all youth. Demetrius Eudell, professor of history, is the MMUF faculty coordinator and Teshia Levy-Grant, Dean for Equity & Inclusion, is the program’s administrative coordinator.
- Wesleyan Mathematics and Science Scholars Program
Wesleyan accepts up to 30 students each year for the Wesleyan Mathematics and Science Scholars Program (WesMaSS), a two-year program that begins the summer immediately prior to a student’s first year at Wesleyan. The summer program consists of several pre-matriculation activities to prepare students for the academic expectations in Wesleyan math and physical science courses and includes a two-week online “virtual” summer bridge experience preceded by an optional one-week residential component. Over the two academic years, scholars participate in a variety of workshops and activities aimed at building sustained relationships with faculty and peers. Through mentoring, skill building and continued reflection, students develop the intellectual habits of successful science students and scholars. The program culminates at the end of the sophomore year with the opportunity to apply for an on-campus research fellowship during the summer. Gloster Aaron, associate professor of biology, NB&B and CIS serves as the group’s faculty advisor. Teshia Levy-Grant, Dean for Equity & Inclusion, is the program’s administrative coordinator.
- Upward Bound Math-Science Program
The Upward Bound Math-Science Program is a federally funded TRIO program designed to strengthen the math and science skills of high school students from Meriden and New Britain. In addition, the Pre-College Access Program is a comprehensive academic enrichment experience for Middletown High School students that emphasizes critical, analytical and higher-order thinking skills. All 2016 Upward Bound students are college bound! These programs are designed to help low-income and first-generation college students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science so that they can successfully pursue post secondary degrees and, ultimately, careers in the math and science professions. Activities, trips and involvement are designed to help students become more familiar with S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering Math) education. Miguel Peralta serves as the director and Marek Mikunda as program coordinator. To learn more about UBMS.