Community

The Department of Polymer Science and Engineering (PSE) strives to cultivate an inclusive, safe, and welcoming atmosphere. The mission to train a future generation of scientists and engineers and prepare leaders to address society’s grand challenges is enhanced by bringing people together from diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures, creating an academic community in which collaboration, mutual respect and integrity are valued.

ASCENDS gathering

Many internal programs help to promote this culture.

  • Workplace Climate Committee (WCC) promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by translating community input from all levels into meaningful action by the WCC, department, or university administration. Additionally, they organize department-wide events as opportunities to educate and equitably represent all voices.
  • PSE Outreach Program - It aims to inspire a diverse population of young students in the community to be the next generation of scientists and engineers while cultivating a scientifically literate community. The program currently gives 10-15 presentations each year to various schools in the area and reaches over 700 K-12 students.
  • A Student-led Program In Research and Education (ASPIRE) - A 5-week series of laboratory experiments and discussions designed for high school students interested in science and is organized by PSE grad students.
  • Advancing Science & Engineering with Diverse Scholars (ASCENDS) is an industry supported undergraduate educational program, providing underrepresented students with the opportunity to work on summer research projects at UMass in conjunction with faculty and graduate student mentors.
  • PSE Club - assists in departmental, administrative, and social activities to maintain a connection among students and between the PSE student body and departmental faculty.
  • PSE Mentoring Committee - schedules regular sessions that help guide students through their transition into the rigorous graduate program and the major milestones of the first year. The PSE faculty work with the mentoring leaders to take advantage of the numerous programs and events offered across the UMass campus
  • ACS PMSE/POLY Student Chapter fosters networking, leadership, and professional development among our students. regularly hosting diverse alumni that serve in exciting leadership roles around the world.
  • Center for UMass Industry Research on Polymers (CUMIRP) - sponsors resume workshops and industry events for students to share research projects and network with companies supporting research and student fellowships.
  • Mission and Values - PSE strives to cultivate an inclusive, safe, and welcoming atmosphere supporting and participating in campus-wide diversity initiatives. We welcome everyone to join in our mission.