Purdue University is moving forward with its plans to improve the cross-cultural climate, and boost recruitment and retention of minority students and faculty who lack representation — issues some minority students recently called attention to at a rally held in mid-November.
'Potential for success'
Nine research initiatives have been selected to receive funding from the Diversity Transformation Award, officials announced Monday.
They aim to broaden the pipeline of minority students who lack representation, build partnerships with historically black colleges and universities, and promote student inclusion among other goals.
The winning proposals will receive a maximum of $150,000 to fund a two-year research project.
The awards are part of the $1 million Diversity Transformation Award Provost Deba Dutta created in August as an incentive to spur faculty-driven research to address issues of diversity and inclusion on campus.
Dutta was not available Monday for comment.
Mark J.T. Smith, dean of the university’s graduate school and part of the Provost’s Diversity Leadership Team, said the winning teams “were those that made the strongest case for implementing changes that would enhance diversity on campus.”
The proposals, which were selected out of a pool of 66 reviewed submissions, were judged based on overall impact in meeting diversity goals.
Cost was also taken into consideration, he said.
“Making the selection was not easy. …” he said. “They all share high marks for innovation and potential for success.”