e-Newsletter: September 2005
Calling All "Corporate Leavers"
Have you or anyone you know ever left a career in corporate America? Level Playing Field Institute is embarking on a "Corporate Leavers" project which will investigate why people of color and women voluntarily leave senior jobs in corporate workplaces. Thanks to two incredible Summer Research Associates, Dawn Dow and Mary Kate Stimmler, and their hard work on informing its strategy and design, “Corporate Leavers” has evolved as the latest stage in our "Hidden Barriers" campaign, which began in 2003 with the national, quantitative HOW-FAIR survey of over 2,400 employees and 400 employers.
By documenting the stories of corporate leavers and supplementing the anecdotal data with rigorous, quantitative studies, Level Playing Field Institute seeks to shed light on the barriers--especially subtle, "hidden" barriers-that still exist in workplace culture. The findings and lessons learned will eventually be compiled in a book, an online portal and multimedia presentations.
If you are interest in learning more about the Corporate Leavers project or are a corporate leaver (or are contemplating becoming one), we would like to hear from you. We are currently looking for people to interview, organizations to collaborate with and companies concerned about retaining these high performing people who are leaving. Please contact Mary Kate Stimmler (mkstimmler AT lpfi DOT org) for further details.
SMASH Student Reflections on Support of Peers
"One thing that I loved about this summer is that my peers believed in me even when I didn't. When I wanted to give up, they pushed me harder. When I didn’t think that I could meet the challenge, my peers were right there to pick me up, persuade me that I could do it, and give me the support I needed to meet all of the challenges and obstacles that I met this summer. I loved the fact that even though all of us don't know everyone that well, that didn't stop anyone from believing in anyone else. At school, people make you feel bad about having goals and doing well in school, but at SMASH, no one doubts you or insults your intelligence..."
"...In my first week in Math Level 4, I wanted to move to Math Level 3 because I didn’t think I could handle Calculus as an incoming sophomore. The teacher did something unexpected: he asked my class what they think I should do. They all showed me so much love and support. That kind of made me feel bad because at that time, it seemed like they believed in me more than I believed in myself. The class told me that I could do it, so I stayed, and in the end, I am glad I stayed. How many [high school] sophomores can say that they took a summer Calculus course and actually understood most of it? The answer is not many, but I'm glad that I can say that." - Anonymous SMASH student
As this student writes, the Summer Math And Science Honors (SMASH) Academy students have grown and supported each other through another great summer of classes on campus at U.C. Berkeley. During the school year, the program continues as students meet monthly to learn about college preparation and ensure they fulfill all necessary requirements to enter higher education. In addition, the parents of the students meet to learn about the admissions process, financial aid, and to stimulate in parent advocacy.
The ultimate goal of the Academy is to encourage students from underrepresented communities (Hispanic/Latino, African American and Native Americans) to pursue studies and excel in math, technology, engineering, or science at top colleges and graduate schools.
IDEAL 2005 Fall Reception
IDEAL scholars are on the move, involved in over 70 different campus and community organizations in or around Berkeley! Join us on October 5 at the Berkeley Art Museum as we highlight the internship work of three scholars, welcome our ten new scholars, and salute members of the IDEAL community – supporters, campus friends, and internship providers.
Special guest emcee: Sara Sidner, news anchor and reporter, KTVU Channel 2.
IDEAL 2005 Fall Reception
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Reception- 6:00pm to 6:45pm
Program- 6:45pm to 8:00pm
Berkeley Art Museum
2626 Bancroft Way
(between College and Telegraph)
Berkeley
For more information, contact Jessica de Jesus at (jessica AT lpfi DOT org)
IDEAL (Institute for Diversity in Education and Leadership) provides resources and support to outstanding underrepresented students so they may maximize their academic and leadership opportunities in college and beyond.
Bolstering Graduate Student Success
Level Playing Field Institute is a proud co-sponsor of the Graduate Fellows Program, which aims to establish and maintain a sense of supportive community among underrepresented doctoral students of color in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) departments at U.C. Berkeley. The students are encouraged to participate in a series of bi-weekly luncheon workshops focusing on advanced graduate students' research and academic and professional skill-building. While the program targets students from underrepresented populations, any STEM doctoral student is welcome to participate in the workshops.
The Graduate Fellows Program gatherings provide an ongoing opportunity to meet and befriend other underrepresented STEM doctoral students and to expand their range of academic interests. The program will increase the confidence and preparedness of participants as they consider their post-graduate career options, which- it is hoped-will increase the number of STEM students from underrepresented communities who choose careers as university faculty.
U.C. Berkeley enrolls approximately 60 new students from underrepresented communities in STEM doctoral programs every year, which is among the largest number of STEM students of color at any graduate school in the U.S. The Graduate Fellows program is jointly sponsored by Level Playing Field Institute, the National Science Foundation-Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, and the Berkeley Edge Program.
Did you know?
Read the question on the sidebar above, if you haven't already.
Answer: Native Americans
Native Americans are starting businesses at seven times the national average rate.
Minority-owned businesses have been growing at four times the rate of all businesses
Women owned businesses have been growing at twice the rate of all businesses.
-US Census Bureau
Survey of Minority Business Owners, August 2004