The Heller School for Social Policy and Management has received the 2019 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Heller for its MS in Global Health Policy and Management Program (MS GHPM), which is leading the way in diversifying pedagogy, students and faculty at Heller.
“I’m proud of the MS GHPM Program, which brings a unique combination of domestic and international students from a variety of backgrounds to Heller,” says MS GHPM Director Allyala Nandakumar. “This makes the learning and research experience richer for every student.”
That’s reflected in a recent Heller student climate survey, in which MS GHPM students reported being the most satisfied with their experiences and the most likely to recommend Heller. Despite the rigor, students reported being comparatively less stressed than at other graduate programs.
“Though there is immense room for growth across Heller, the MS GHPM leadership team has built a program that fosters trust, deals with the complexities of intersectionality and increases participation among underrepresented groups,” says Associate Dean for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Maria Madison.
For example, the MS GHPM program piloted a class on “Intersectionality in Bioethics” taught by Madison last school year, which delved into the history of power and people used in the name of advancing medical science. Additionally, two incoming MS GHPM students—both females, another underrepresented group in STEM—are working on projects targeting underrepresented high school students to help create a pipeline to higher education. These efforts are part of Heller’s commitment to the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) metrics set forth by INSIGHT Into Diversity, which tracks 165 benchmarks.
“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”
Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives. The Heller School will be featured, along with 49 other recipients, in the September 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.