Colorado Diversity Initiative

New Colorado Diversity Initiative director transforms longtime program

Cay Leytham-Powell — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:15:39 +0000

New Colorado Diversity Initiative director transforms longtime program Cay Leytham-Powell Thu, 02/01/2024 - 11:15

Christina Alston reflects on her first few months with CDI and what the future holds

The Colorado Diversity Initiative (CDI) has been a fixture on the �鶹ӰԺ campus for close to two decades, bringing in and nurturing the next generation of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) leaders. During that time, the program’s seen many changes, but nothing quite like what’s happening now.

Now part of the Graduate School after moving from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE), CDI oversees several programs, including the Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program and the Colorado Advantage program. These programs promote diversity at CU �鶹ӰԺ by preparing undergraduates for graduate school, offering learning and mentoring opportunities for graduate students, and providing broader research support for faculty and staff.

In July 2023, Christina Alston became the director of CDI after former director Barbara Kraus retired and immediately began transforming the program, rebranding it from a preparation program to one that also fosters community and belonging.

We asked Alston about her plans for the program, including where she sees the program going.

Christina Alston at a conference.

Question: You’ve been the director of CDI for a few months. How’s it going?

Answer: It's going fast! I'm quickly transitioning from the learning phase to the direct-action phase. That is not to say that I am not still learning or that I do not have things about CU �鶹ӰԺ to learn to aid in my facilitation of student recruitment and retention. However, things are currently moving at such a rapid pace that direct programmatic action change is required.

CDI has been on an exciting journey during my time here, from remodeling my office to instituting new programs for staying in direct contact and engagement with potential CU �鶹ӰԺ graduate students, and creating belongingness events for our current historically minoritized and marginalized students.

Q: What are your future goals for CDI? Anything you’d like to accomplish?

A: As part of my five-year plan, one of my objectives is to ensure that the programs, activities and support provided by this office are socially just and equitable. To help support that goal, I intend to form an external advisory board to ensure that I, as director of this office, am not biased in my advocacy for historically marginalized and minority students and am inclusive of their full range of support needs.

Q: What do you think is the significance of CDI?

A: One of the most important aspects of CDI is its potential for growth. CDI has had a relationship with the STEM community for a long time, but it was still in a bubble. Everyone who participated in the engagement was thankful for their efforts and support. CDI has long been the small fish in a large pond, moving upstream quietly. People are now ready for transformation and change.

Q: What would people like to know about CDI?

A: I want current graduate students to know that CDI is more than just a place to get mentorship and career guidance; it also helps you feel like you belong at CU �鶹ӰԺ by hosting at least three social events each semester to help you form community.

I want faculty members to know that CDI is here to help them understand how they can improve the departmental climate for their graduate student populations. CDI will provide honest and unbiased feedback on your department's recruitment plan through one-on-one or departmental discussions.

Learn more about CDI and their current projects on their website.

Christina Alston reflects on her first few months with CDI and what the future holds.

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Christina Alston (second from the left) with the Fall 2023 Colorado Advantage cohort.

Christina Alston to lead Colorado Diversity Initiative

Cay Leytham-Powell — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 18:34:59 +0000

Christina Alston to lead Colorado Diversity Initiative Cay Leytham-Powell Thu, 07/27/2023 - 12:34

Alston aims to use her background as an educational leader to create a more inclusive STEM community on campus

The Colorado Diversity Initiative (CDI), a �鶹ӰԺ program known for its work nurturing the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) leaders, has a new leader.

Christina Alston took over as director on July 1 after director Barbara Kraus’ retirement earlier this year. Alston comes from the University of Houston, where she recently finished her PhD in curriculum and instruction after spending nearly two decades as a STEM educator at Rice University and Houston area schools.

“As a Black feminist researcher, my focus is on educating, highlighting and uplifting the Black STEM community. I am thrilled to be part of CDI at CU �鶹ӰԺ as the new director,” Alston said. “What excites me the most (about this position) is the opportunity to be an agent for change and empower the future generation to persist in STEM.”

Alston added that by bringing together undergraduate and graduate students alike, “we can create an inclusive and equitable environment where underrepresented perspectives are not only heard but celebrated and appreciated.”

“We are extremely excited to welcome Christina to the university and to the Graduate School as the new director of CDI,” said E. Scott Adler, dean of the Graduate School and the vice provost for graduate affairs. “She comes from a long background as an educational leader and brings a fresh approach to the important work of CDI and the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts of the Graduate School.”

Previously part of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE), CDI oversees several programs, including the Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program and the Colorado Advantage program. These programs promote diversity at CU �鶹ӰԺ by preparing undergraduates for graduate school, offering learning and mentoring opportunities for graduate students, and providing broader research support for faculty and staff.

“It's refreshing to see a shared passion for diversity and inclusivity in STEM (by the CDI team), and the dedication to empowering students and researchers from all backgrounds,” Alston said. “It's clear that we're embarking on a journey that will bring about positive change and create a more inclusive STEM community. I couldn't be more thrilled to be part of this inspiring team and make a lasting impact together.”

Alston aims to use her background as an educational leader to create a more inclusive STEM community on campus.

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SMART students present during last year's poster symposium (Michele Flores).

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SMART students present during last year's poster symposium (Michele Flores).

Colorado Diversity Initiative director announces retirement

Cay Leytham-Powell — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 17:09:02 +0000

Colorado Diversity Initiative director announces retirement Cay Leytham-Powell Tue, 02/07/2023 - 10:09

Barbara Kraus, who’s worked for CU �鶹ӰԺ for over 30 years, will retire at the end of this month

Colorado Diversity Initiative Director and Founder Barbara Kraus is retiring at the end of this month, following a successful decades-long career preparing students for STEM fields of study at the �鶹ӰԺ.

Kraus began her career within the Graduate School but, after receiving two major federal grants at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health with the faculty support of Professor James Curry and Professor Emeritus Bob Boswell, left to create a brand-new program: the Colorado Diversity Initiative.

The Colorado Diversity Initiative, which is part of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, oversees several programs at CU �鶹ӰԺ, including the SMART (Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training) program, that promote diversity among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. These programs do that by preparing undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds for graduate school and offering educational and mentorship opportunities for graduate students.

Since its inception, the program has helped prepare hundreds of students for graduate school.

In addition to her work with the Colorado Diversity Initiative, Kraus has also helped faculty across campus prepare federal grants for submission.

“Barbara has been a huge asset to the university for many years. Her work to assist faculty to shape their proposals to successfully compete for and receive grants has had a huge impact on the research opportunities at CU �鶹ӰԺ. Equally impactful has been her tireless work in encouraging and providing support to students, often under-served, to get them into STEM fields of study and graduate school,” said Christopher Pacheco, the acting vice provost and associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion at CU �鶹ӰԺ.

“We want to thank her for her many years of service and dedication to the university and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Barbara Kraus, who’s worked for CU �鶹ӰԺ for over 30 years, will retire at the end of this month.

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