Promoting Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Regis University Chemistry Department

Since the early 1990s, the Regis Chemistry Department has established a partnership with the Western Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities (WAESO; Hispanic Research Center, Arizona State University), which is a National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative for promoting under-represented and minority students in STEM education. Regis University is the only Colorado university to have this continuing association with WAESO. In addition to supporting undergraduate research, WAESO has funded peer study groups in General and Organic chemistry including Health Sciences (nursing). As the project director, Dr. Surendra Mahapatro conducts Saturday study sessions, reviews and one-on-one meetings with students on a consistent basis.

A typical student research stipend is $1000-2500 per student for one semester. For the period 2010-present, Dr. Mahapatro's efforts have resulted in more than 80 student stipends. Many students have received multiple awards over their four years at Regis. The total grants awarded (in student stipends) for the period of 2010-present is well over $100K.

WAESO supported students have presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium (Arizona State University), national and regional meetings of the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Emerging Research National Conference (ERN sponsored by NSF and AAA). WAESO supported research has resulted in major publications in ACS and Royal Chemical Society journals with undergraduate co-authors.

Dr. Mahapatro hopes to continue this effort after his retirement at the end of December 2021. In this context, Dr. Nick Kallan's recent association with WAESO (beginning Spring 2020) is significant; it will ensure continuity in the coming years and bring more opportunity for our diverse group of URM students.

It is heartening to note the advancement and success of recent WAESO supported students:

• Jake Garcia (supported by WAESO three times) plans to defend his Ph.D. thesis on Femto-second spectroscopy of metal clusters at Arizona State University in October
• Robyn Krystal de Dios has just started a graduate program in Chemistry at Purdue University
• Marquis Yazzie began a graduate degree in Environmental Chemistry at Northern Arizona State University.

In the past 10 years, more than 15 WAESO-supported students have successfully completed professional degree programs including DDS, MD, Pharmacy and Physical Therapy.