BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE GEOSCIENCE COMMUNITY AT ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Among the many STEM disciplines, Geoscience in particular struggles with inclusiveness for a number of reasons. Illinois State University (ISU) Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment has revisited its inclusion initiatives recently, opening the topic up for discussion. We saw an opportunity to identify interested individuals underrepresented in the geosciences and bring them into the ISU Laboratory for Environmental Analysis (LEA) for work experience in the hydrogeosciences. Our intention was to expose students of differing physical ability, ethnicity, and other varying backgrounds to this science. The ultimate goal is to further diversify the ISU geoscience student population and the geoscience professional population as a whole making both more reflective of society. Departments and programs at ISU already in existence for the purpose of inclusiveness have been willing collaborators. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LS-AMP) program at ISU has been our greatest success resulting in over 250 hours of under-represented student time in LEA. Goals are now being revisited in order to strengthen connections with LS-AMP as well as make similar connections with other campus initiatives. Retention plan development is also occurring so that this success can be propelled further toward the ultimate goal of an inclusive geoscience community.