PSDiverse - the PSD D&I Student Committee

Overview

Mission

• To elevate and amplify student voices across the PSD units, build community, and instill a sense of belonging in all students.
• To create long-lasting and sustainable diversity and inclusion student-focused programs for the PSD that will exist and operate beyond the tenure of appointed committee members.

Vision

To embody critically conscious leaders who are dedicated to investing resources into themselves and their communities, creating an inclusive climate for all.

Goals

The goals of the student committee are to increase retention and create a climate of inclusion for graduate students.

About PSDiverse

The mission of the PSDiverse Diversity Ambassadors is to transform how all students experience PSD by equipping PSD student leaders to advance the mission of the PSD Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) of creating an inclusive, welcoming, and equitable learning and working community in the Physical Sciences Division. Additionally, Diversity Ambassadors will engage the PSD student community by providing discussions designed to heighten awareness around social responsibility and societal change while fostering a sense of belonging for all students.

Positions

The PSD ODI is looking for 14 student Diversity Ambassadors who contribute to a sense of belonging and how community is experienced at PSD by facilitating engagement in diverse and inclusive discourse. Each PSD Department will have up to two Student Diversity Ambassadors who will represent the student voice to the PSD ODI.

We invite students to apply for the new cohort of PSDiverse Diversity Ambassadors for 2022-2023.

Application Deadline: Sunday, August 27, 2023, 11:59 PM

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time students at the time of their application and in academic good standing. Elected Diversity Ambassadors must retain their eligibility for the duration of their service.

Responsibilities

The Diversity Ambassadors will:

• Serve as a student representative for their department to the PSD ODI for a maximum of two years, with the ability to re-apply for the position after the first year.
• Build and maintain relationships with students in their Department.
• Attend all required retreats, meetings, and trainings.
• Develop valuable, marketable interpersonal skills such as conflict resolution, teamwork, leadership, advocacy, and intercultural competence.
• Learn about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Belonging, and Intercultural Competence (DEI+) concepts and strategies.
• Expand understanding of multiple intersecting identities including, but not limited to race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender, ability, religious affiliation, and how they impact lived experience.
• Raise awareness around social responsibility and societal change among peers.
• Build a community amongst fellow Diversity Ambassadors that is supportive and empowering.

Requirements

• Diversity Ambassadors must be in good academic and conduct standing with the University.

To Apply

• The online application will open Monday, August 15, 2022, and is due Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 11:59 pm.
• Interviews will take place the week of September 18, 2023, by appointment. Final selections and announcements will be made on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.

Submit your PSDiverse Diversity Ambassador application today!

Retreat

All selected Diversity Ambassadors will attend the PSDiverse Retreat on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 10:00am-2:00pm, to get to know each other and become familiar with the objectives of the program. The Retreat will feature various workshops, team-building exercises, and training pertinent to their role. The Retreat sessions are designed for students to build skills and knowledge base around concepts of class, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, intercultural competence, conflict resolution, and advocacy.

Diversity Ambassador Meetings

• Diversity Ambassadors will meet monthly for up to 1.5 hours throughout the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters with the Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Those meetings present an opportunity for the Diversity Ambassadors to connect with one another, provide updates on their departments, share best practices, resolve problems, and receive additional training as needed.
• Meetings will include a meal.

Commitment and Timing

PSDiverse is a tremendous opportunity for students to be able to serve as Diversity Ambassadors for their departments to the PSD ODI in an advisory capacity. It is expected that Diversity Ambassadors will be able to serve in their positions for a maximum of two years, with the ability to re-apply for their position after their first year of service. See the section below for important dates to remember.

Dates to Remember

• Applications Due | Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, 11:59pm
• Interviews | Monday, Sept. 18- Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, by appointment
• PSDiverse Retreat | Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Meetings | Monthly, October 2023-May 2024

For more information, please contact Aleksandra Ninova-Parris, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for PSD, aninovaparris@uchicago.edu

Former PSDiverse Members:

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