CSUSM Receives $1 Million Grant from HHMI Inclusive Excellence Initiative
San Marcos, CA – Cal State San Marcos is among 57 colleges and universities selected for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence Initiative, which provides $1 million in grant support over five years for each institution.
HHMI announced Wednesday that CSUSM was among 33 colleges and universities joining 24 institutions selected in 2017 for the Inclusive Excellence Initiative, which aims to catalyze schools’ efforts to engage all students in science regardless of background. That includes underrepresented ethnic minorities, first-generation college students and working adults with families.
“In the College of Science and Mathematics, we are committed to preparing our graduates to be productive members of an agile, resilient and inclusive STEM workforce,” said Katherine Kantardjieff, dean of CSUSM’s College of Science and Mathematics.
“This grant will enable us to implement practices that instill creativity, curiosity, critical thinking and innovation in our students, thereby creating academic experiences that help students discover where their interests intersect with the cutting edge of their field.”
Selected schools will work with HHMI and its partner, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), to engage in the process of culture change.
During two rounds of selection in 2017 and 2018, HHMI received applications from 594 colleges and universities. From those, 140 were invited to submit full proposals for plans to develop more inclusive environments for their students.
Each of the selected schools has committed to working closely with HHMI and the AAC&U Inclusive Excellence Commission for five years to evaluate its progress and refine its approach.
CSUSM’s proposal focuses on faculty development in research-based student learning; advising and peer mentoring focused on students’ science identity; and creation of inclusive pedagogies.
About California State University San Marcos
Building on an innovative 28-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.
The University enrolls nearly 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
