Image Credit: Dr. Maggie Lewis, PhD 2020, Hamby Lab
DEI Statement
The Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland recognizes ongoing systems of exclusion that result in a serious underrepresentation of many identities within our department and discipline. We acknowledge that our institution and the society it serves was built by exploiting enslaved peoples, stealing land, and an ongoing system of anti-Black racism. All people have the same rights and basic needs; however, we recognize that some are denied their rights through discrimination, violence, and harm because of their color, other identities, and intersections. We, as a department, are thankful for past and current civil rights leaders who remind us of our privilege, power, and responsibility to mitigate and overcome past and present injustices. The Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland strives to provide a just, inclusive, and anti-racist environment in which all identities are celebrated, respected, and empowered. We commit to actively seeking out and addressing systemic forms of aggression and exclusion within our departmental and institutional culture and governance. We commit to continuing and improving on these efforts, facilitated by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group.
DEI Activities
Graduate Student Recruitment
Since 2015, we have sent representatives to graduate student recruiting conferences, focusing on students from groups underrepresented in science. Actively recruiting at the following events:
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) annual meeting
Association on Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD)
National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research
National GEM Consortium GRAD Lab
STEM Diversity Career Expo
Graduate School’s virtual graduate school fair and open house
Since 2015, we have sent representatives to graduate student recruiting conferences, focusing on students from groups underrepresented in science. Actively recruiting at the following events:
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) annual meeting
Association on Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD)
National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research
National GEM Consortium GRAD Lab
STEM Diversity Career Expo
Graduate School’s virtual graduate school fair and open house
Entomology's Student Peer Mentorship Program
To foster a stronger sense of community among students, the Entomology Student Organization organizes the peer advising program. For the advisee, this program offers first and second year graduate students a way to broaden their mentor network and learn from the experiences and expertise of senior students. For the advisor, this program offers an opportunity for professional service by acting as a peer advisor to an early-career student, great for the CV! In addition, this program will provide the opportunity to expand one’s network with peers that may become future collaborators and colleagues.
Faculty Participation in SOARE
Entomology Department participates in Summer Opportunities in Agricultural Research and the Environment Program (SOARE). SOARE provides underrepresented undergraduate students with on-campus research experience to establish important relationships with faculty in their respective fields of study and to conduct graduate-level research under the supervision of a renowned AGNR faculty member. Most recently Assistant Professor Dr. Megan Fritz trained participating students in field collection and the identification of mosquitoes.
Turtle and Eagle Science Club
Lecturer Dr. Shofner serves as faculty advisor and mentor for Turtle and Eagle Science Club (TESC). TESC is a collaborative STEM homework club comprised of undergraduate student tutors that meet 2x week each semester at the Carole Highlands Elementary School campus to help selected 4th-6th graders with math, English and science homework.
To foster a stronger sense of community among students, the Entomology Student Organization organizes the peer advising program. For the advisee, this program offers first and second year graduate students a way to broaden their mentor network and learn from the experiences and expertise of senior students. For the advisor, this program offers an opportunity for professional service by acting as a peer advisor to an early-career student, great for the CV! In addition, this program will provide the opportunity to expand one’s network with peers that may become future collaborators and colleagues.
Faculty Participation in SOARE
Entomology Department participates in Summer Opportunities in Agricultural Research and the Environment Program (SOARE). SOARE provides underrepresented undergraduate students with on-campus research experience to establish important relationships with faculty in their respective fields of study and to conduct graduate-level research under the supervision of a renowned AGNR faculty member. Most recently Assistant Professor Dr. Megan Fritz trained participating students in field collection and the identification of mosquitoes.
Turtle and Eagle Science Club
Lecturer Dr. Shofner serves as faculty advisor and mentor for Turtle and Eagle Science Club (TESC). TESC is a collaborative STEM homework club comprised of undergraduate student tutors that meet 2x week each semester at the Carole Highlands Elementary School campus to help selected 4th-6th graders with math, English and science homework.
Graduate Student Representation in Graduate School Government (GSG)
Each semester a Entomology Graduate student is selected by the peers to serve as a representative of the Graduate Student Government during each academic assembly period. Representatives advocate for important issues affecting UMD grad students.
Broad representation at faculty meetings
The president of ESO serves as a student representative at faculty meetings. Representatives elected from among staff and postdoc are also included in faculty meetings. These representatives are asked to share feedback at each meeting.
Each semester a Entomology Graduate student is selected by the peers to serve as a representative of the Graduate Student Government during each academic assembly period. Representatives advocate for important issues affecting UMD grad students.
Broad representation at faculty meetings
The president of ESO serves as a student representative at faculty meetings. Representatives elected from among staff and postdoc are also included in faculty meetings. These representatives are asked to share feedback at each meeting.
Land Acknowledgement
Every community owes its existence and strength to the generations before them, around the world, who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy into making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will, some were drawn to migrate from their homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted. Truth and acknowledgment are critical in building mutual respect and connections across all barriers of heritage and difference.
In the Department of Entomology, we believe it is important to create dialogue to honor those that have been historically and systemically disenfranchised. So, we acknowledge the truth that is often buried: We are on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway People, who were among the first in the Western Hemisphere. We are on indigenous land that was stolen from the Piscataway People by European colonists. We pay respects to Piscataway elders and ancestors. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together today.
Every community owes its existence and strength to the generations before them, around the world, who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy into making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will, some were drawn to migrate from their homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted. Truth and acknowledgment are critical in building mutual respect and connections across all barriers of heritage and difference.
In the Department of Entomology, we believe it is important to create dialogue to honor those that have been historically and systemically disenfranchised. So, we acknowledge the truth that is often buried: We are on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway People, who were among the first in the Western Hemisphere. We are on indigenous land that was stolen from the Piscataway People by European colonists. We pay respects to Piscataway elders and ancestors. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together today.
Share your thoughts
Have ideas on how to improve DEI in Entomology? We want to hear from you email the committee at ento-dei@umd.edu
Have ideas on how to improve DEI in Entomology? We want to hear from you email the committee at ento-dei@umd.edu
