CADI and WIC co-host a professional development lunch on intersectionality

On November 19th, as part of the professional development lunch series funded by a School of Science Quality of Life Grant, WIC and CADI co-hosted Alessandra Robinson, Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs at MIT, and Lauryn McNair, Assistant Director of Intercultural Engagement and LBGTQ+ Services at MIT, to facilitate a discussion how various identities intersect to influences experiences in systematic ways.

The lunch began with Lauryn and Alessandra describing the resources available at MIT and providing definitions of identity and intersectionality in order to have a shared vocabulary.  Then, in smaller discussion groups, we had a chance to learn more about various terms and identities regarding intersectionality, diversity, and inclusion by playing the SPXCE game. Finally, we had a chance to brainstorm various actions that we as graduate students and postdocs can do in order to make the department more inclusive spaces for all identities. This lunch gave members of the department an introduction to the language necessary to start the conversations regarding how the identities of the various members of the department intersect and how we can work together to create a more inclusive and supportive space. Stay tuned for the next professional development lunch in the coming months!

 

A BIG Thank You!

In an effort to raise the funds to endow our student group, CADI participated in MIT’s Pi Day Challenge, a 24-hour fundraiser. Since we had over 100 individual donors, a $25,000 anonymous donation was unlocked. Ultimately, $30,405 was raised by 121 donors. This support will help us continue to create a more inclusive and welcoming space for all chemists at MIT both now and in the future. Thank you!

Chemistry Application Mentorship Program is now live!

This year, the Chemistry department has started its very own application assistance program. The Chemistry Application Mentorship Program (CAMP) seeks to provide assistance to individuals applying to MIT’s Chemistry Department for graduate school. It is a volunteer-based, student-run program that matches applicants with current graduate students in order to provide assistance for traditionally underrepresented groups in graduate school. CADI is happy to work with the department in order to support individuals from various backgrounds through the application process. For more information on the application process and the requirements and to complete the application to be a part of CAMP, see the department’s page here.