Report of the Committee on Diversity
for the Year Ending June 30, 2007

The committee did not hold a face to face meeting this past year, due to the staff transitions. However there was a conference call April 16, 2007 in which a number of items were discussed. Participating in the call were committee members Gail Gasparich, Linda Mantel, Patricia Ross and Chair Daniel Wubah. Also participating were staff liaisons, Philip Carter and Kathy McLane

The committee plans to spend the next year, updating the diversity website and populating the site with relevant materials and photographs.

This past year an award was established for the diversity program. The award is for encouraging chapter activities that promote inclusion of underserved populations in Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Technology. Diversity may reflect gender, ethnic background, socio-economic status, etc. The Committee selects one or two chapters with exemplary programs to receive an award and present their projects at a plenary session at the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting. The committee established the criteria to be:

• degree of innovation
• degree of chapter involvement/initiative
• desired outcomes with appropriate measures
• sustained involvement
• ability to be replicated broadly throughout the society, by other chapters

The committee will work with the committee on qualifications and membership to develop a survey to collect demographic information for the Society. The committee is continuing its work with the Education Committee for the establishment of the Anna Harrison Award. The Anna J. Harrison Award will honor individuals who exemplify the spirit of Anna Harrison, and also reflect the values of Sigma Xi. These are individuals who a) demonstrate leadership to other professionals in the design, delivery, or evaluation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, b) inspire new entrants to STEM and STEM careers, especially those from populations currently underrepresented in STEM, and c) enhance the retention and academic or professional success of individuals in STEM and STEM careers, especially those from populations currently underrepresented in STEM. The Diversity and Education Committees will jointly review applicants once the award has been funded.

At the fall annual meeting, the committee recognized Rockefeller University for its program with the Harlem Children's Society and the University of California, Berkeley for co-sponsoring a variety of one-hour professional development workshops targeting diversity science students, including "Research Presentations Do's and Don'ts," "How to Write a Sigma Xi Mini Grant," and Designing Professional Research Posters." The committee sponsored a diversity workshop at the annual meeting last fall and will sponsor one again this year.

The Committee had a brief discussion on members leaving the committee. Departing from the committee are Daniel Wubah (chair), Cora Marrett and Lura Powell.

2006-2007 Committee on Diversity
Chair: Daniel A. Wubah
Staff Contacts: Kathy McLane
Ken Cutler
Gail Gasparich
Linda H. Mantel
Cora Bagley Marrett
Lura Powell
Patricia D. Ross