Working in a global village
Diversity Executive
The world is a big place, and as companies spread across it at a steady pace, the definition of diversity is changing. Diversity is most often discussed in terms of differences in race and gender, next in terms of different backgrounds and perspectives within a given population, but when approaching workforce management on a global level, geographic diversity must be taken into account as well.More

Foundation to train 450 new STEM teachers
U.S. News & World Report
Indiana, Michigan and Ohio can expect more than 450 highly trained math and science teachers over the next three years, thanks to The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, which will pay for the teachers' education. Established shortly after World War II to help returning GIs change careers, the foundation has trained thousands of teachers in understaffed fields. Several years ago, the foundation decided to focus on training science, technology, engineering and math teachers.More

At top colleges, diversity not just black and white
The Associated Press via Google News
A growing chorus of higher education experts suggests that when it comes to affirmative action on campus, class — not race — is the more entrenched dividing line between the haves and the have-nots. In general, recent efforts to improve college access for low-income students tend to succeed more often in community colleges and less selective state schools, experts say. And if the more selective schools don't bend their admissions standards, that can mean cut-throat competition for the comparatively few poor students with the necessary academic chops. More

Engineering gender parity
The Washington Post
Despite small gains, few disciplines continue to scream "man's world" quite as much as engineering. It registers a noticeable shortage of female talent both on the job and in the pipeline. In 2008, for example, women made up more than half of working biological scientists but comprised only 11 percent of practicing engineers. What is it about the field that's so odious to women?More

May Chemist of the Month: Dr. Mario Molina
ACS
Though Mario Molina's family consisted primarily of lawyers, they accepted his passion for chemistry. However, it was his aunt, a chemist, who helped cultivate this passion. Molina was awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work in atmospheric chemistry and the decomposition of ozone. Molina received a Bachelor's of Science in engineering at National University of Mexico and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Currently, he is institute professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he teaches atmospheric chemistry.More

Students lobby for diversity requirement as a 'social justice'
The Daily of the University of Washington
University of Washington students continue to fight for redirecting UW graduation requirements toward diversity courses for students. And this time, they're taking a new approach to gaining the campus' support — through education. The proposed idea for the diversity requirement consists of two courses, at any number of credits. Since the diversity classes would also count under either the visual, literary and performing arts, or individuals and societies requirements already in place, there would be no additional credit requirements. More

Colleges welcoming students with Asperger's
The Philadelphia Inquirer
In May, Jon Dorfman, 22, will graduate from St. Joseph's University. He's a film major, a former NBC intern and a paid mentor at the school's Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. He's also part of the newest wave of diversity to reach college campuses. As a generation of young adults — the first to be diagnosed with Asperger's as children — comes of age, it is demolishing stereotypes about its condition and prompting universities to respond to its needs.More

Hispanics have lowest education attainment level
Diversity Executive
A new report shows that Hispanics have the lowest education attainment level overall of any group in the U.S. Hispanics are the largest minority group in today's American public education system, numbering more than 12.4 million in elementary, middle and high schools. Only about half earn their high school diploma on time; those who do complete high school are only half as likely as their peers to be prepared for college and only 4 percent have completed graduate or professional degree programs.More

A commitment to diversity
Milwaukee Courier
Michael Lovell, recommended as the new chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is strongly committed to continuing UWM's efforts to increase diversity and improve access. Lovell came to UWM as dean of the College of Engineering & Applied Science. One of his first public speeches was at an event for students finishing a summer program for engineering students from diverse backgrounds.More

How effective diversity management drives profit
DiversityInc.
Every business exists to make money. Profits are a return on equity. You see this in your own life as dividends at your bank. Diversity management, properly implemented, drives profit. For most companies this shows up as decreased costs: Human-capital diversity efforts raise productivity, lower regrettable loss and increase recruiting efficiency. We call this stage two benefits.More