Promoting Dat itheversity Ginraduate Level Mathematics Proceedings of a National Forum October 14 – 17, 2008 Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Berkeley, California (USA) ontents Promoting C Diversity 2 A Call to Action atthe Sylvia T. Bozeman and Rhonda Hughes Graduate 6 Framing the Issues: The Case for Diversity Linevel 10 Exploring the Data: Mathematics What We Know, What Is Still Unclear PROCEEDINGS OF A NATIONAL FORUM 12 Personal Narratives: Giving Voice to Students and Recent Graduates HELD AT THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES 16 Critical Transitions: Navigating the Gaps Between RESEARCH INSTITUTE BERKELEY, CA Undergraduate and Graduate Cultures (USA), OCTOBER 15 – 17, 2008 20 Models of Creativity, Innovation, and Success FUNDED BY 22 The Way Forward: Building Diverse Communities ThE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ThE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY Sidebars ThE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION 4 Edge — A Mentoring Network 6 MTBI/SUMS — Intensive Research Training 8 Trachette Jackson — Working at the Frontiers of Edited by Ellen E. Kirkman and Olivia Mathematical Biology A. Scriven, this report was prepared and 18 The University of Iowa — Building Community in the based largely on the proceedings of a Heartland three-day forum entitled Promoting 19 The University of Nebraska — A Presidential Award for Diversity at the Graduate Level in Excellence Mathematics.” The report integrates data, presentations, and observations 20 Carlos Castillo-Chavez — A Legacy of Impacting Young People from the forum, while combining additional data and information 22 Karen Uhlenbeck — Outreach Programs for Women addressing the issues of diversity and 24 Joshua Aronson — "Stereotype Threat” inclusion more broadly, and more specifically, efforts to increase the APPENDIX recruitment, retention, and graduation 26 The Case for Diversity rates of women and other historically 27 Conclusion underrepresented groups in graduate 27 References programs in the mathematical sciences. 28 Index Promoting Diversity at the Graduate Level in Mathematics: A National Forum 1 Promoting Diversity at the Graduate Level in Mathematics • Proceedings of a National Forum Editors: Ellen E. Kirkman, Wake Forest University • Olivia A. Scriven, Partners for Educational Development, Inc. Forum Organizing Committee Sylvia T. Bozeman Dusa McDuff Spelman College State University of New York, Stonybrook and Barnard College Duane Cooper Morehouse College Linda Pace, Project Coordinator EDGE Abbe Herzig Ivelisse Rubio State University of New York, Albany University of Puerto Rico Rhonda Hughes Olivia A. Scriven Bryn Mawr College Partners for Educational Development, Inc. Fern Hunt Karen Uhlenbeck National Institute of Standards and Technology University of Texas, Austin Ellen Kirkman Kathleen O’Hara, Associate Director Wake Forest University Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Forum Photography Donald Cole • Rhonda Hughes • Sheila Newbery The forum was hosted by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley, California Funding for the forum was provided by the The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation National Science Foundation, grant no. DMS 0733878 National Security Agency, grant no. NSA98230-07-1-0110 Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes ay legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or a otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof. On the cover: Top–attending “A Diversity of Careers in Mathematics,” Emille Davie, University of California, Santa Barbara and Laura DeMarco, University of Illinois at Chicago. Center–Sylvia T. Bozman, and to her right, Dusa McDuff, join conference attendees at Joshua Aronson's presentation. Bottom–the camera catches Chandra Erdman, graduate student, Yale University. 2 Mathematical Sciences Research Institute • Berkeley, California Promoting Diversity at the Graduate Level in Mathematics • Proceedings of a National Forum A Call to Action Editors: Ellen E. Kirkman, Wake Forest University • Olivia A. Scriven, Partners for Educational Development, Inc. he Promoting Diversity forum was a call to action, a challenge, and an appeal to universities across the U.S., especially those at the forefront in producing the next generation of mathematicians, to address the issue of diversity in their graduate mathematics departments. It was Talso an opportunity for colleges and universities to explore the academic and non-academic barriers to success in U.S. graduate mathematics programs. In recent years, several scientific communities have held conferences devoted to improving diversity, gender equity, and broadened participation of historically underrepresented groups. In its recent document “Broadening Participation at the National Science Foundation: A Framework for Action,” the National Science Foundation (NSF) stresses the inclusion of underrepresented groups as the basis of expanded efforts to increase participation in all of its programs and activities. Consistent with those values and that commitment, the conference “Promoting Diversity at the Graduate Level in Mathematics: A National Forum” was a timely response to concerns of national urgency. Sylvia T. Bozeman, professor of As lifelong professors at small women’s liberal arts colleges (Spelman, mathematics at Spelman College, and a historically black college, and Bryn Mawr), we were not obvious Rhonda J. Hughes, Helen Herrmann Professor of Mathematics at Bryn candidates to lead an effort of this magnitude, particularly one that Mawr College, have partnered in attempted to engage the broader mathematics research community the mathematical development in an examination of graduate education. We were, in the best sense, of women and students from underrepresented groups for more shepherded into this role by several well-meaning individuals. As than 15 years. In 1998 they founded diversity has been at the core of our professional partnership for and now serve as co-directors of Enhancing Diversity in Graduate nearly twenty years, we humbly attempted to rise to this formidable Education (EDGE), a transition challenge. program for women that has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon The goal of this three-day conference was to stimulate, identify, Foundation, and the National Security and disseminate successful models that improve retention of Agency at various stages. underrepresented groups in graduate programs in mathematics. The forum provided an opportunity for the interchange of information among the key constituencies involved in graduate education: representatives from research universities, comprehensive universities, and small colleges, including graduate students. The conference afforded the 120 participants, 30 percent of whom Promoting Diversity at the Graduate Level in Mathematics: A National Forum 3 EDGE The Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE) program* was were graduate students, an opportunity to improve the articulation between established in 1998 by Sylvia T. undergraduate and graduate training in order to develop strategies to improve Bozeman (Spelman College) and retention of students from these institutions. Department representatives Rhonda J. Hughes (Bryn Mawr were encouraged to leave the conference with an appropriate plan for action. College) to assist women students In planning the conference, the Forum Organizing Committee looked for in successfully completing graduate new ways to illuminate barriers to diversity that exist in graduate programs programs in the and attempts being made to overcome those barriers. mathematical The committee also looked for ways to develop new sciences. EDGE ideas and disseminate strategies of programs and is based on the advisors that have been effective in producing PhDs premise that among women and other underrepresented groups. students who have In addition, the forum recognized the mathematical demonstrated achievements of women and minority mathematicians, mathematical and provided networking opportunities for students ability but have and faculty. limited exposure to advanced Perhaps the most unique element of the forum was mathematics Attendee Katrina Hardin-Williams, Spelman College the opportunity provided for faculty to hear the voices courses can successfully earn of current and former graduate students, in their own words, both through PhDs in mathematics when those present at the conference and through anonymous stories submitted provided with an introduction to for reading by faculty. The forum was also unique in its formal and informal advanced mathematical topics, an exchanges and networking between understanding of graduate school “ It is our hope that this faculty and graduate students culture and a supportive community conference will inspire those from different types of institutions, of mathematics faculty and student who contemplated barriers and mentors. As of 2008, a total of 119 at individual, departmental, and solutions for achieving diversity women have participated