Center for STEM Diversity celebrates 10th anniversary

December 13, 2018

First established in 2008, the Center for STEM Diversity works with partners across campus to build an inclusive and diverse learning environment for students at Tufts.

A group photo in front of silver balloons spelling CSD 10

On December 12, 2018, Tufts University's Center for STEM Diversity (CSD) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding. The Center partners with the School of Engineering and the School of Arts & Sciences to foster a diverse and inclusive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning environment at Tufts. It aims to strengthen meaningful student participation in science and engineering, specifically for groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields, including women, African Americans, Native Americans, the LGBTQ community, and those who identify as Hispanic and/or Latinx. The Center also works with first-generation college students and with students from low-income backgrounds.

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At the anniversary celebration, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members heard remarks from President Anthony Monaco, Dean Jim Glaser of the School of Arts & Sciences (on behalf of himself and Dean Jianmin Qu of the School of Engineering), the Center's director Ellise LaMotte, and program administrator and resource advisor Campbell Halligan. In addition, the Center's two previous directors, Travis Brown and Darryl Williams, welcomed guests via video message.

The theme of the night was gratitude, with speakers calling out the contributions of current staff (LaMotte, Halligan, and program coordinator Courtney Russo), as well as those of former staff (Brown, Williams, and former Assistant Director Kristin Finch), the Center's External Advisory Board, and University Professor Linda Abriola, who was Dean of the School of Engineering at the time of the Center's founding.

Currently, the Center for STEM Diversity supports students through its four flagship programs:

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The celebration recognized the talented students who participate in the CSD's programs and build community through the Center. The CSD has directly and indirectly supported more than 1,000 students over the last ten years, through programmatic offerings, tutoring, funding support, and summer and international educational opportunities.

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