Panel Focuses on Diversity in Academia

Drawing Diversity To Academia” panelists included, left to right, Richard Tapia (Rice University), Charles Robbins (SBU), Frances Brisbane (SBU), Charles Taber (SBU), Carlos Medina (SUNY), Noel Blackburn (BNL), Toni Sperzel (SBU) and Dennis Assanis (SBU).

“Drawing Diversity to Academia,” a panel discussion sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Computational Science (IACS), featured an array of  experts from Stony Brook University and beyond in an April 18 evening event. The session was designed to discuss opportunities, best practices and novel ideas for increasing the participation and success of underrepresented minorities in the STEM fields. 

Participants included IACS Director Robert Harrison, who chaired the event, as well as Dennis Assanis, Provost, SBU; Noel Blackburn, Manager, University Relations and DOE Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Frances Brisbane, Vice President for Health Sciences Workforce Diversity, SBU; Carlos Medina, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, SUNY; Charles Robbins, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the Undergraduate Colleges, SBU; Toni Sperzel, Interim Assistant Dean, Center for Inclusive Education; Charles Taber, Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education, SBU; and Richard Tapia, Professor & Director, Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Rice University.

“It was truly a pleasure to have participated on such an important panel and topic of discussion,” Carlos Medina said.  “Given our current demographics, higher education leaders need to work across their respective institutions to create a welcoming and inclusive culture for all.”