Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education Newsletter
March 2023 | C-Term | Spring 2023
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Newsletter Highlights At-A-Glance
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New! Current Events
New! Social Justice Education
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Supporting Muslim Students and Employees During Ramadan 2023
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Connect With ODIME On LinkedIn
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Please pardon our appearance. The OASIS Multicultural Center and Collegiate Religious Center are in the process of having television displays installed. The spaces are still available and accessible for use.
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Collegiate Religious Center Updates
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Please pardon our appearance. The Collegiate Religious Center (CRC) at 19 Schussler Road will be undergoing interior and exterior renovations on the main level Lounge which may impact student programs. Please note the space remains bookable and available for student and community as needed.
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WPI Celebrates Women's History Month 2023
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Upcoming International House Programs
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The Latest from the Office of Student Aid & Financial Literacy
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In mid-October, all 2022–23 FAFSA filers at WPI (except anticipated graduating seniors) will receive an email asking them to file for 2023–24. The FAFSA is due by March 31, 2023 and will require 2021 tax information. You’re encouraged to use the Data Retrieval Tool to fill out your FAFSA to assist with the streamlining process. WPI’s FAFSA code is 002233 . Please note that, unlike when they applied for admission, upper class students do not need to fill out the CSS Profile.
Not all students will be selected for verification by the Department of Education (upon completion of the FAFSA, your student’s Student Aid Report will indicate if they have been selected), but those who are will be required to complete verification documents prior to receiving their award in early summer 2023 for fall 2023. More information will be shared with those selected in early 2023 via email.
Be sure your student is checking the student aid portal for any aid requirements that are still due. Students must review any emails sent from our office regarding finalizing loan requirements. Federal Direct Loan requirements may be completed via studentaid.gov. Institutional Loan requirements (Manning Loans and other WPI Institute Loans) were sent via ECSI, a third-party vendor contracted with WPI, in mid-August from the Business Office.
As a reminder, upper class students will be required to sign a new disclosure form for the Manning Loans and other WPI Institute Loans even though they may have already signed their promissory note in a prior year. Requirements must be complete for loans to be disbursed to the student’s bill; if loan requirements remain incomplete, the student’s Federal Direct and WPI Institutional Loans may be canceled. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the office at finaid@wpi.edu or 508-831-5469.
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Protecting Your Spirit, Mind, and Body
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Upcoming Campus Programs and Events
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Upcoming Holidays, Holy Days, and Commemorative Days
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- World Water Day (March 22)
- Earth Hour Day (March 25)
- Greek Independence Day (March 25)
- International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (March 25)
- World Theatre Day (March 27)
- World Bipolar Day (March 30)
- International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31)
- Cesar Chavez Day (March 31)
March 2023 is observed as:
- Women's History Month
- National Nutrition Month
- Women’s History Month
- American Red Cross Month
- National Colorectal Cancer Awareness
- Irish-American Heritage Month
Happy Birthday to all of the March babies! |
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WPI News:
ODIME News:
Inside Higher Ed:
Insight Into Diversity:
The Chronicle of Higher Education:
Diverse Issues In Higher Education:
The Journal Of Blacks In Higher Education:
Women In Academia:
Higher Ed Jobs:
Higher Ed Dive:
Local/State/National/International News:
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LGBTQIAP+ Resources and Support
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Read, Watch, Listen, and Learn
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- Residence Life Cinema (SWANK Motion Pictures, Inc.)
- Alcohol Awareness
- Asian Pacific Islander History and Culture
- Black History and Culture
- Constitution Day
- Disabilities
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Earth Day
- Hispanic History and Culture
- International
- LGBTQ+ Pride
- Social Relevance
- National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
- National Native American Heritage Month
- Women's History Month
- Women's Studies
- World AIDS Day
- Anyone on WPI Wi-Fi can access free streaming services at cinema.wpi.edu.
Podcasts:
Books:
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Voter Education and Registration
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Election Day 2023
Tuesday, November 7th
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Student Jobs and Internships
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The Office of Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs is looking to hire a team of undergraduates to assist in the daily implementation of the Launch and Frontiers programs. Summer staff are responsible for building connections with participants and serving as a liaison between participants and campus staff to ensure a positive experience. Additionally, you will be responsible for building and a sense of connection and belonging for our program participants. All summer staff will act as ambassadors from the WPI community, sharing WPI’s culture and traditions, while also serving as STEM role models and by sharing their personal experiences. A successful mentor will also exhibit a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and an interest to work with high school students and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Applications are due by Sunday, March 26th. If you have any questions, please contact Gregory Lane, at glane@wpi.edu.
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Professional Development Opportunities
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Celebrating Diversity Month
Thursday, April 6, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Zoom Webinar
Please join the national Inclusion & Equity Committee’s virtual webinar on Thursday, April 6, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET. The webinar is designed to aid local branches and states as they prepare to celebrate Diversity Month in April and the World Day for Cultural Diversity on May 21. The webinar is designed to be interactive, with ample opportunities for participants to make suggestions and ask questions. Please join us on April 6!
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White Saviorism
Thursday, April 13, 2023
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Zoom Webinar
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Quality Enhancement in After-School and Out-of-School Time (ASOST)
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Workshop: Diversity and Intersectionality
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM EST
Zoom Webinar
The national Inclusion and Equity Committee invites all AAUW members to participate in a virtual workshop on Wednesday, May 10, from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm ET in preparation for World Day for Cultural Diversity (observed on Sunday, May 21). This workshop provides a hands on learning opportunity for AAUW members to explore aspects of diversity and intersectionality. Please join us on May 10!
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Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities
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The NCSEA Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarship Program, established by the NCSEA Foundation, awards funding to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in structural engineering (including but not limited to Black/African Americans, Native/Indigenous Americans, Hispanics/Latinos or Spanish, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and other people of color, those with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQIA+). Multiple scholarships are presented annually to junior college students, undergraduate students, and/or graduate students pursuing degrees in structural engineering.
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GMiS STEM Scholarship Application Guidelines
Scholarships are available for traditionally underserved and underrepresented students, especially Hispanic, who are graduating high school seniors, undergraduate students and graduate students pursuing a STEM or health-related field of study at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college/university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
Merit-based scholarships range from $1,000 - $5,000 and require a minimum 3.0 GPA. Some merit-based scholarships may allow part-time enrollment.
STEM Civic Service scholarships start at $500 and may allow a minimum 2.5 GPA and may also allow part-time enrollment.
Scholarship recipients will also be supported with travel, hotel and registration to attend the 2023 GMiS Conference, from October 11-14, 2023, in Pasadena, CA, to meet their scholarship sponsor.
Please submit your scholarship-related questions to scholars@greatmindsinstem.org or refer to the Scholarship FAQs.
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 30, 2023
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Leadership Brainery Ambassador Fellowship
The Leadership Brainery Ambassador Fellowship equips high-achieving college student leaders of color with the skills and resources to prepare for graduate school. Leadership Brainery Ambassadors (LBAs) are in a cohort for 18-months, from their junior through senior year, to develop personally and professionally, ensure they meet the necessary admissions prerequisite and requirements, build social capital with peers and industry leaders, and remain on track for postgraduate enrollment.
20 Ambassadors are selected from a competitive pool of rising juniors enrolled in universities throughout Greater Boston.
Fellowship Eligibility Requirements:
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Identify as a person of color
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Attend a US-accredited 4-year college or university in the Greater Boston Area
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Current sophomore
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Are actively involved in leadership roles on campus or within their community
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Plan to enroll in graduate or professional school before Fall 2027
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Willing and capable to invest their time and effort into the entire fellowship
Application Deadline: Thursday, June 1, 2023
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2023 ExxonMobil LOFT Fellowship Program
ExxonMobil LOFT Fellowship
ExxonMobil Corporation, the largest publicly traded international energy company, has partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) to create fellowship opportunities in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) for Hispanic college students. Through HHF’s Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) program, ExxonMobil seeks to nurture motivated college students nationwide with a passion for Engineering and Science.
Selected students will be exposed to a top-quality company by participating in this signature mentoring program. Each student will be paired up with an ExxonMobil professional to learn how their knowledge and skills are applied in a corporate setting.
Fellowship Components
The Fellowship consists of five 1-hour meetings with a mentor (virtual or in person), an exclusive curriculum to introduce Fellows to ExxonMobil and career opportunities, and a $1,000 educational grant. In addition, the possibility exists to interview for ExxonMobil positions (internships/full-time) upon successfully completing the Fellowship.
Fellowship Requirements
This opportunity is highly competitive and open to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students attending a 4-year college or university.
Fellowship applicants with the following majors will be given priority:
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Geoscience
- Material Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Applicants with these majors will also be considered: Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics, Petroleum Engineering, and Physics.
Other Requirements:
- Must plan to pursue a career in the fields/majors listed above
- Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Be a U.S. citizen, a legal U.S. permanent resident or have the permanent right to work in the U.S. Applicants selected are required to submit documentation for U.S. citizenship, permanent resident or right to work.
If you need assistance with this application process, please contact Oscar Chavez in the Office of Academic Advising.
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ODIME Staff Weekly Drop-In Hours
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Campus Chaplains and Religious Advisor Weekly Drop-In Hours
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Academic Support Services
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WPI Multicultural, Intercultural, International, and Religious Community
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Campus Advocacy Resources
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- Dean of Students | Student resources for advocacy, citizenship, empowerment, inclusion, respect, and support
- Office of International Student Life (ISL) | Student resources for international support, education, community, and advocacy
- Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) | Student resources for accommodation services, advocacy, support, and assistance
- Title IX | Student resources for anti-discrimination policy and equal opportunity education
- Student Development and Counseling Center (SDCC) | Student resources for counseling, therapy, and mental health/wellness
- Graduate Student Government (GSG) | Student resources for addressing the social and academic needs of graduate students
- Student Government Association (SGA) | Student resources for addressing the social and academic needs of undergraduate students
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Additional Support and Resources
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(ODIME newsletter is distributed on Wednesdays weekly while classes are in session.)
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