Campus Climate Improvement Grant Recipients Announced; New Proposals Sought

Climate graphic

The Office of Equity and Inclusion has announced the student, faculty and staff recipients of the campus climate improvement grants for the spring 2018 semester. The application period for grants for the 2018-19 academic year is now open.

These grants, ranging from $250 to $2,500, are intended to support projects that help build community and create a more inclusive campus. The funded projects include book clubs, workshops, trainings, art exhibits, lectures, events and more.

“We received a significant number of grant submissions for this semester, which indicates that our community truly cares about making the campus a place that fosters mutual respect and understanding,” says Enobong (Anna) Branch, associate chancellor for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. “Through these projects, we hope that all members of the community are able to connect and engage with one another in new and meaningful ways.”

In total, more than $20,000 in funding was awarded. A full list of spring 2018 recipients can be found below.

Applications for 2018-19 climate grants are open through April 23. Undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and staff are encouraged to submit their creative ideas for fostering connection on campus in the 2018-19 academic year.

Priority will be given to those proposals that are likely to yield a more sustained climate improvement and involve members of our campus community. Special consideration will be given to projects that encourage participation and coordination between two or more areas, schools, departments, organizations or groups.

Spring 2018 Campus Climate Improvement Grant Recipients

  • Steve Acquah, staff, Research Art-Science Gallery and Video Exhibition
  • Benita Barnes, faculty, Research Support Group for Doctoral Students of Color
  • Raquel Bryant, graduate student, Broadening Relationships, Impacts, and Discussions in Geosciences and Ecology Lecture Series
  • Krystal Cashen, graduate student, Psychological and Brain Sciences Discussion Events
  • Kelsey (Ell) Davis, graduate student, Ally Skills Workshop for Poets and Writers
  • Alexandrina Deschamps, faculty, Commonwealth Honors College Book Club
  • Kim Euell, faculty, Word! A Five College Festival of Staged Readings
  • Krista Harper, faculty, Graduate Students’ Ecologies of Support
  • Yilu Jin, undergraduate student, Workshop for Queer and Trans Communities and Communities of Color
  • Catherine Manly, graduate student, Universal Design for Learning Faculty Workshop
  • Mitchell Manning, undergraduate student, First-Generation Student Community Event
  • Jennifer McDermott, faculty, Advancing Inclusion and Mentoring Teaching Fellowship
  • Yvonne Mendez, staff, Jazz Music and Social Change
  • Martina Nieswandt, staff, SkillPath Workshop
  • Jennifer Page, staff, Professional Union Staff Book Club
  • Willie Pope, staff, Video Recording of Racial Justice Coalition Stories
  • Tassandra Rios-Scelso, staff, Food Security Symposium
  • Aaron Shackelford, staff, Faces of the Fabulous Art Event
  • Talya Sogoba, undergraduate student, Multicultural Night
  • Madeleine Werner, undergraduate students, Smart About Money Financial Literacy Resources
  • Nathaniel Whitmal, faculty, Luncheon for Underrepresented Faculty in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences