Excellence in STEM

ARCS Foundation, Inc. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan Task Force Report
Accepted by the National Board, June 2022

This report is the product of over a year’s worth of work comprising meetings, surveys and research by nearly 50 individuals including ARCS board members, committee members, Chapter members, scholars, scholar alums and university partners to develop this action plan. The DEI APTF Report is not intended to be a comprehensive set of recommendations for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in ARCS Foundation. Rather it is a road map to implement future actions and progress to create lasting change at all levels of the organization, now and in the future. Read the report...

Approved by ARCS National Board April 14, 2021

Opening Doors to Scientific Achievement

ARCS Foundation embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values critical to scientific excellence and innovation. We believe these core values are crucial to creating a welcoming environment within our organization. We open doors to talented individuals who bring different perspectives to scientific research. ARCS Foundation celebrates and supports the efforts of our partner institutions as they eliminate barriers to academic and scientific achievement.

In October of 2020, ARCS National Board was approached by the Seattle Chapter to address issues of diversity and inequity as a result of disruptions in communities around the United States. Among others, the Science and Engineering Advisory Council of ARCS National and the Council on Competitiveness, have pointed out demographic disparities apparent in STEM graduate scientists and the threat to future scientific innovation.

At the January 2021 meeting, upon the recommendation of the National University Relations Committee, the National Board approved the establishment of a task force to develop an ARCS National statement that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion within our mission of Advancing Science in America. ARCS National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement was approved by the National Board on April 14, 2021.

In June 2021, the National Board established a Task Force to develop an Action Plan. This DEI Action Plan Task Force was co-chaired by Barb Goergen, Minnesota Chapter, and Beth Wainwright, Pittsburgh Chapter. 
 

• A Planning Group was formed to act as the steering group 
• Five Working Groups were formed that mirrored the structure of the DEI statement 
• Information was gathered from various stakeholders, feedback was evaluated, and solutions were brainstormed
• At the June 2022 ARCS National Board meeting, an Action Plan Report was delivered which includes recommendations for possible action and/or initiatives to support and implement ARCS National DEI Statement

Each Working Group corresponded to a specific sentence in the DEI Statement.

1. Values: ARCS Foundation embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values critical to scientific excellence and innovation.
   Lead: Linda Burke, Pittsburgh Chapter
2. Internal/Members: We believe these core values are crucial to creating a welcoming environment within our organization.
   Lead: Julie Branford, Oregon Chapter
3. Internal/Scholars: We open doors to talented individuals who bring different perspectives to scientific research.
   Lead: Jo Whitehouse, Northern California Chapter
4. External/Universities: ARCS Foundation celebrates and supports the efforts of our partner institutions as they eliminate barriers to academic and scientific achievement.
   Lead: Danielle Robinson, Metro Washington Chapter
5. External/Partners and Funders: ARCS Foundation celebrates and supports the efforts of our partner institutions as they eliminate barriers to academic and scientific achievement.
   Lead: Sherry Lundeen, Atlanta Chapter