EDI Seminar Series
The EDI Seminar Series: Pathway to Inclusion at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering offers a quarterly platform to explore critical themes in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Each session features a guest speaker renowned for their work in these fields, providing insights into topics like power dynamics, inclusive leadership, and systemic challenges in academic and professional environments. The series aims to foster conversations that build awareness, challenge preconceptions, and equip participants with practical strategies for cultivating inclusive spaces within PME and beyond. Each seminar includes a presentation followed by a Q&A, encouraging an open dialogue and collaborative exploration of best practices. This initiative supports PME's commitment to advancing EDI by enhancing community knowledge, allyship, and collective action towards an equitable environment.
Celebrations
The EDI Celebrations at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering are dynamic events dedicated to honoring diverse cultural heritages, achievements, and contributions within our community. Organized in partnership with student groups and the EDI Committee, these celebrations foster inclusion by offering enriching experiences that highlight the richness of our community’s cultural and social diversity. Events may feature activities such as cultural games, storytelling, culinary experiences, and music, creating meaningful spaces for learning, connection, and appreciation. Through these gatherings, PME reaffirms its commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all identities are celebrated and valued, encouraging cross-cultural understanding and community building among students, postdocs, faculty, and staff.
Faculty Lunch and Learn
The Faculty Lunch and Learn: Research Spotlight series at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering offers faculty a relaxed, collegial environment to showcase and discuss their latest research. Each session highlights a faculty member’s work, diving into research objectives, methodologies, and emerging findings. Colleagues gather over lunch to gain insights into ongoing projects, explore interdisciplinary connections, and exchange ideas that may spark collaborative opportunities. This series not only enriches the PME community’s understanding of diverse research pursuits but also builds bridges across disciplines, promoting a shared commitment to innovation, intellectual growth, and the advancement of science and engineering.
Staff Fireside Chat
The Staff Fireside Chat: Meet the Team series at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering provides a warm, conversational space for staff members to share their personal stories, professional journeys, and unique contributions to the PME community. Each session spotlights a different team member, allowing them to discuss their background, values, interests, and perspectives on their role at PME. This series promotes a sense of belonging and connection across departments, encouraging colleagues to build deeper relationships, celebrate diverse pathways, and recognize the strengths each individual brings to PME. Through these gatherings, the community fosters a culture of openness, trust, and mutual appreciation, enhancing team cohesion and collaboration.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program
The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is designed to provide undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds with immersive, hands-on research experiences that foster interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through this program, PME is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by prioritizing opportunities for students from historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Participants work alongside PME faculty and graduate students on cutting-edge research projects, gaining valuable skills, mentorship, and insights into academic and professional pathways in engineering. The REU program not only supports PME’s EDI goals by broadening access to high-quality research experiences but also strengthens the pipeline of diverse talent in STEM, contributing to a more inclusive scientific community.
PME Mentoring Program
The newly launched PME Peer Mentoring Program aims to support graduate students in their transition to the first year of graduate school, the PME program structure, and the broader University of Chicago community. By pairing advanced graduate students with incoming PhD students, the program facilitates connection and creates an inclusive, student-driven social support network and community in the graduate program.
PME Scholars Fellowships
As part of our commitment to scientific and engineering excellence within a diverse and inclusive community, the PME has created the PME Scholars Fellowship, a recognition of exceptional academic and research promise, a record of engagement with the community, resilience in the face of adversity, and outstanding independence and leadership qualities awarded to a select group of incoming doctoral students.
TeachQuantum
Four high-school teachers from neighborhood schools took part in the TeachQuantum Program. This initiative aims to expose teachers to authentic first-hand research experiences over the 2021 summer and support them in developing and implementing quantum-focused activities for their classrooms. (Participating Labs: Awschalom, Bernien, Franklin, Zhong)
Youth Internship Program
Over the 2021 summer, the PME outreach team hosted Dejiah Beatty, a rising junior at Kenwood Academy, as an intern from the Office of Civic Engagement’s Youth Internship Program. This initiative is a paid, virtual, six-week summer employment opportunity for local Chicago Public Schools students. It prepares them for post-secondary pathways with focused mentorship, college readiness, and career advancement support.