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Good morning!We hope you enjoyed your time off last week, and you were able to rest and recover before finals begin. As always, make sure to scroll all the way through to see all events and opportunities, and best of luck with the end of your semester!
- The CSD Team
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| Table of Contents1. Student Highlight
2. CSD Programs and Updates
3. Events and Flyers
4. Research, Internship, and Volunteer Opportunities
5. CSD Staff Bios
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Rebecca Rios-LazoChemistry, Class of 2026
LSAMP Scholar
What's a recent achievement you're proud of?
I recently had the opportunity to attend the SHPE National Convention in Anaheim, CA and it was such an amazing experience! I learned so much and created amazing connections that I know will help me progress in my future career!
What would you tell your first-year self, knowing what you know now?
If I could talk to first-year Rebecca, I would tell her that all of the good things that have happened and will happen, are absolutely deserved. It's easy to convince yourself that you're not worthy or that you don't deserve successes, especially as a first-generation, low-income student, but I want to remind her that hard work pays off and all of those successes are because she is worthy of them!
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Want to be our Student Highlight?Nominate yourself or a fellow peer to be our Student Highlight! Write two paragraphs about the student’s accomplishment(s) and why you think this person should be student of the month. Email your nominations to stemdiversity@tufts.edu with the subject line: Student Highlight.
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CSD Hours
As a reminder, our hours at 20 Professors Row are as follows:
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
After-Hours Access: Students can request card access from 5 PM – 10 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Students can request card access from 12 PM – 10 PM
Even if your keycard works, you should not be in the building after hours.
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RISE (Redefining the Image of Science and Engineering) Spring 2024 Class
Did you know that you can still take RISE in the Spring? This 2 credit pass/fail advising seminar RISE offers a second session for Freshman and Sophomore students at Tufts.
During the Spring Semester, we cover topics on undergraduate research, how to find internships, study abroad as a STEM Major, talk with faculty members about their own research journey and more. By the end of the semester, you will have built a portfolio of work that will have you scholarship or internship ready!
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| STEM Ambassadors
The STEM Ambassadors have completed their class visits for the semester! They worked with over 700 high school students in our Somerville, Medford, and Chinatown communities.
Stay tuned for their spring events, including their National Engineers Week event on Friday, February 21. Also, applications for the 2025-2026 year open in mid-February; updates will be shared in this newsletter, on the CSD Instagram, and the STEM Ambassadors Instagram.
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CSD Lending Library: Return Your Books!
Anytime between now and December 20 | 20 Professors Row, reception desk
As we approach the end of the fall semester, we ask that you please plan to return your borrowed textbook(s) back to the Center for STEM Diversity within the coming weeks. When returning your textbook(s), please drop them off at 20 Professors Row room 101 at the reception desk or directly to Grace Melo in room 202A.
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Let's Talk: CMHS Drop In Hours
Wednesday, December 4 | 11AM - 12PM (flyer has incorrect time listed) | CSD Basement
Stop by the CSD on Wednesday to talk with CMHS counselor Taka Watanabe!
Let's Talk is an easy, low-committment way to speak to a CMHS counselor about challenges in your life. Individual drop-ins are 15 to 20 minutes, and you can talk about specific problems, brainstorm solutions, and consider next steps.
Learn more information at the CMHS website here.
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
You are invited to set up a time to meet with our Diversity Program administrators, Simone Nicholson and Kasandra Yee, and Mafalda Gueta, Associate Director of Diversity & Inclusion Programs, at the links below to discuss how they can best support you. They are open to meeting in person or virtually.
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Industry Insights with Kalahn Taylor-Clark
Monday, December 2 | 6 - 7:15PM | Cabot Center, Asean Auditorium
Wondering how to leverage your skills and competencies to find impactful, fulfilling work? Join us for the launch of the new Industry Insights Speaker Series, co-sponsored by the Tufts President’s Office and the Career Center.
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826 Boston Volunteering
December 2 - 19 | 4:15 - 6:15PM | 3035 Washington St, Boston MA 02119
826 Boston is a nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing organization where students in grades K-12 and beyond can share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders in school and in life.
They are looking for volunteers to support their After-School and Evening Tutoring programs this holiday season. After-school tutoring shifts run from 4:15 pm to 6:15 pm, Monday through Thursday and evening tutoring shifts run from 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Both opportunities are held at there tutoring center in Egleston Square.
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Mechanical & Human Factors Engineering Allyship Workshop
Friday, December 6 | 1 - 2PM | Blake Lab, SEC
Join the ME DEIJ Student Board in a space for students to understand each other, featuring guest speaker, Dr. Grace Caldara from the CSD! Extra credit for ME51 will be offered with attendance. Enjoy burritos from Picante!
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| Drop-In Advising
20 Professors Row | 2:30 - 3:30PM | December 6
Attend drop-in advising hours with the Senior Academic Advisors to answer all your academics-related questions!
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DSDI Center Slide
Tuesday, December 10 | 4 - 6PM
Join us next week for the DSDI Center Slide! Start at the Indigenous Center (112 Packard Ave) for registration, visit each center for food and fun, and end at the FIRST Resource Center & Center for STEM Diversity (20 Professors Row) to grab a care package packed with goodies!
Don’t miss out on this exciting end-of-semester celebration!
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Preparing for Upcoming BreaksThe holiday season is upon us! How are you preparing for semester break meals?
Did you know there is a Grocery Store Shuttle every Saturday? Or a Community Fridge open 24/7? Both resources can help you access food for meals during the upcoming Fall and Winter break. Keep in mind that dining centers close during break!
Are you low on meal swipes? Undergraduate and graduate students from the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, and SMFA can download up to 15 meal swipes per semester, no questions asked, and all done from the comfort of your laptop/smartphone. Do you have an excess of swipes? Donate them to Swipe It Forward.
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Dana Farber Summer Internship
Application opens December 1, 2024
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is gearing up for its annual Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity/Workforce Development Summer Administrative Internship Program for graduate students and rising seniors in college.
The 10-week paid internship provides individuals with a commitment to inclusion, diversity, and health equity with the opportunity to further develop their leadership and analytical skills. Interns will be positioned for full-time employment opportunities at Dana-Farber upon successful completion of their academic programs.
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STEM+M Connect: Undergraduate Summer Internship & Mentorship Experience
Application due February 2
The Center for Science Education (CSE) and The Office for Multicultural Affairs (OMA) at Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) present an opportunity for Tufts sophomores and juniors to participate in the National Institutes of Health funded STEM+M CONNECT Program (CONNECT for short). Participants will work in a STEM research lab of their choice or participate in clinical observerships at Tufts Medical Center while they provide near-peer mentorship to Boston-area high school students enrolled in the CONNECT High School Program.
Students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM and medicine, such as first-generation college students, are highly encouraged to apply. Compensation of $5,000, which can be used for housing, food, and transportation, is provided.
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| | Research, Internship, Scholarship, and Volunteer Opportunities
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All opportunities are listed in order of their deadline.
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- Applying to graduate school at MIT? Check out the Graduate Application Assistance Programs (GAAPs); led by current MIT students, they offer guidance on the application process and feedback on materials like statements of purpose and CVs. Learn more about connecting with a mentor here. If you're an LSAMP student, you're eligibile for an application fee waiver; learn more here.
- TRISH has PAID summer internship opportunities available for graduate and undergraduate students. Apply for the EXPAND internship and communications internship by February 28, 2025.
- Want to attend the LACCEI International Multi-Conference for Engineering, Education, and Technology in Mexico City from July 16-18, 2025 and present a paper? Find more information at both the Conference website and the LACCEI website.
- Are you looking for summer research opportunities? Check out UCLA's newsletter to find more information on what resources and opportunities they offer!
- Break Through Tech AI is a free, 1-year extracurricular program at MIT that helps undergraduate women and non-binary students, especially women of color, obtain the skills and experiences they need to launch their careers in machine learning and AI when they graduate. Applications open in January for the 2025-26 program. To learn more about this program, please visit https://computing.mit.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/break-through-tech-ai/
- Read EduMed's online guide on how minority healthcare students can excel in healthcare fields! Find more information about scholarships here and read about EduMed here.
- Check out undergraduate scholarship and research opportunities from the Chemistry department here.
- Building Audacity is looking for volunteer drivers and food packers to help distribute groceries to over 500 food-insecure families throughout Greater Boston. To learn more email foodjustice@buildingaudacity.org and join the volunteer email list at bit.ly/BAVolunteerSignUp.
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Dr. Grace CaldaraDirector of the CSD | she/her/hers
Dr. Caldara is from upstate New York and holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine. She previously worked at Supermajority and Pantsuit Nation Foundation leading national leadership trainings, and developing diversity training for online communities. In her downtime she loves to spend time with her family and read.
As Director of the CSD, she works to support the CSD staff, all programmatic work of the center and co-teaches the RISE Seminar.
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Grace MeloAdministrative Coordinator | she/her/hers
From Malden, MA, Grace graduated Boston University with a degree in Special Education: Disability Studies. As the Administrative Coordinator for DSDI, Grace helps support the eight identity centers, but specifically shares her time with the CSD.
Outside of Tufts, Grace's enjoys making flan, sewing, and at the moment, watching Ugly Betty.
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Kasandra Yee Diversity Program Administrator | she/her/hers
Kasandra is passionate about diversity & inclusion in STEM education. Prior to her role at Tufts, she was an electrical engineer at Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, MA. At Draper, she co-founded the Asian Pacific American employee resource group (ERG) and co-led the LGBTQIA+ ERG.
She received her Master’s degree in Learning Experience Design and Technology at Northeastern University in 2023. By joining Tufts in Winter 2024, Kasandra will apply her interest in the learning sciences and experience in organizational planning to implementing diversity & inclusion best practices. Kasandra works directly with students and faculty of the Tufts Gordon Institute, Derby Entrepreneurship Center, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering department.
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Mafalda Gueta Associate Director of Diversity & Inclusion Programs | he/him/his
Mafalda earned his BA in Liberal Arts from the University of California, Riverside followed by a Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University. He is currently a candidate for a Master of Arts in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Leadership program here at Tufts.
As an Associate Director, Mafalda currently works to support Mechanical Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering towards building an accessible, inclusive and diverse culture within each department by partnering directly with faculty. From talking to students to learn more about their experiences in the department, to training faculty and adapting curriculum, Mafalda works to make sure students feel safe and successful while at Tufts.
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Simone Nicholson Diversity and Inclusion Program Administrator | she/her/hers
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Simone Nicholson completed her bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. Currently, she is a third year Engineering and Computing Education Doctoral Student with a minor in women and gender studies.
In her role as a DIPA, she supports students, faculty, and staff within the CS and ECE departments with diversity, equity, and inclusion related areas through programs, trainings, personalized learning needs, etc.
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Sehba Hasan Associate Director of the CSD | she/her/hers
Sehba is an Electronics and Telecommunications Engineer, hailing from Maharashtra, India. She did her MBA in Management here in the US. Coming from a culturally rich and diverse landscape of India, Sehba has found inspiration in her background to contribute meaningfully to the DEIJ work.
In her role at the CSD, she is dedicated to supporting and championing the cause of underrepresented minorities, BIPOC communities, low-income, and first-generation students across various majors within the School of Engineering and Arts and Science. She is involved in co-teaching the RISE seminar class and oversees the management of the BEST program, among other responsibilities.
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Sophia Hamdan Program Administrator | she/her/hers
Originally from Leesburg, Virginia, Sophia earned her Bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Mary Washington, a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Boston College, and a second Master's degree in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Leadership from Tufts.
In her role as Program Administrator, she advises the STEM Ambassadors program, supports the BEST Summer Program, serves as an academic advisor, writes the CSD's monthly newsletter, and collaborates with colleagues on and off campus to support all the incredible students at Tufts.
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