Smith College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

At Smith College, there are a variety of programs to support underrepresented groups within the student body. Those include Peer Mentoring in the Sciences, AEMES, the Spinelli Center for Quantitative Learning, the Culture of Research Initiative, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program, Minority Association of Prehealth Students (MAPS), and Union of Underrepresented Students in the Sciences (US)2.

In addition, the Mentoring Office is directly involved in supporting underrepresented groups within the sciences. the Mentoring Coordinator advertises a number of internship, scholarship, fellowship, and grant opportunities to the student body, specifically geared to retention efforts underrepresented students in the sciences. The Mentoring Office also sponsors AEMES, the Peer Mentoring program, and Early Research.

Peer Mentoring in the Sciences:
The Peer Mentoring Program seeks to ensure access for all students interested in science, engineering, and math including those who are from under-represented groups including African American, Latina, Native American, Pacific Islander, Asian and students who are first in their families to attend college. Incoming students who intend to major in math, engineering, or science are paired with a mentor, a returning student who usually majors in the same field. Mentors and mentees also participate in a range of networking, support, and social activities organized by the Mentoring Office throughout the academic year as part of the program.

AEMES (Achieving Excellence in Math, Engineering, and Science):
Team-based approach with faculty and peer mentors supporting students with a commitment to promoting
greater participation in the sciences for students from traditionally underrepresented groups. In the fall of their first year, AEMES scholars take part in a seminar that enhances skills for achieving academic goals. AEMES scholars also conduct research with a faculty advisor and participate in the Peer Mentoring Program described above.

Spinelli Center for Quantitative Learning:
The Spinelli Center supports students from diverse educational backgrounds to succeed in quantitative learning and research. Holds tutoring sessions and provides a study space for students to work together in quantitative subject areas.

Culture of Research Initiative:
Supports access and success of all undergraduates with research experiences within learning communities, both within and beyond the classroom (including service learning groups) across the college.

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program:
Aimed at increasing the number of minority students, and others with a demonstrated commitment to eradicating racial disparities, who will pursue PhDs in core fields in the arts and sciences.

MAPS (Minority Association of Prehealth Students):
The group seeks to prepare and support under-represented prehealth students for future careers in the health fields.

UUSS (Union of Underrepresented Students in the Sciences):
Seeks to foster the interest in science-related majors among minority students. The group serves as a resource for students of color in the sciences at Smith to become informed about science opportunities both on and off campus. The focus of the group includes:
-Assisting the college in preexisting, as well as any further developed science initiatives
-Acting as a support network whose goal is to maintain a continuous commitment to helping past, present and future underrepresented students of color in the sciences.
-Developing, organizing, and executing educational programming that encompasses various aspects in the sciences.

Investigation of complaints by Office of Instituional Diversity and Human Resources.