NEWS

Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network in partnership with researchers from Louisiana Tech University, Vanderbilt University, North Dakota State University, Temple University, and Morgan State University has been awarded funding for a conference to engage the scientific community in discussions about improving underrepresented minorities in STEM through creating a Community of Practice (CoP). 

QEM Network President Dr. Erin Lynch will serve as the Principal Investigator and coordinate with Louisiana Tech’s Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent, Dr. A.J Hinton (VU), Amml Hussein (TU), Dr. Tara Slominski (NDSU), and Cynthia Glass (MSU) for the conference in 2023.

“It is an honor to collaborate with world-renowned researchers from across the US to co-host this timely conference,” said Keith-Vincent, College of Education Associate Dean for Research, Outreach, and Innovation. “The investment in this work by the National Science Foundation will allow many academic professionals to benefit from open and honest conversations about what inclusion and belonging and how to facilitate it on each unique campus as we work to provide access and opportunity to students and faculty of groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines.”

The project will support nationwide discussions through this conference, striving to shift the thinking associated with the use of commoditized language specific to STEM to broaden participation amongst underrepresented groups. 

The conference will provide tracks focused on mentoring practices, implicit bias, evidenced-based models for broadening participation, improving research methods, and assessment/evaluation innovation.  

“We are enthusiastic about collaborating with these outstanding university partners and commend Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent’s leadership in improving the educational pathway of students currently underserved and underrepresented in STEM,” said Dr. Don Schillinger, Dean of the College of Education. “It is an exciting time in STEM education; to know that there are initiatives like the Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network and partners, especially our own Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent. Her leadership in this effort is unmatched.”

“The collective efforts of all involved should have a positive and profound impact on underrepresented and underserved students in STEM,” said Devonia Love-Vaughn, Dean of Inclusion Initiatives and Student Success.