Held February 22, 2022 from 3-5 pm ET
The TEAM-UP Time is Now report identified personal support as an important and key factor in helping African American students persist. But what does it mean to provide personal support and why does it make a difference to African American students? Financial barriers, societal issues, stereotypes, and systemic racism are just some of the issues African American students grapple with as they work toward their degrees. In this webinar, we will discuss and explore the many ways that faculty, graduate students, administrators, peers, and others can offer personal support that helps African American students persist in their physics and astronomy programs.
In this webinar you will:
- Gain a more nuanced understanding of the kinds of personal support that lead to the persistence of African American students in physics and astronomy
- Learn strategies for building relationships with African American students that facilitate identifying student needs
- Hear concrete ideas for addressing African American student needs effectively and with care.
- Consider normalizing the idea and praxis of providing personal support to students as a success model
Confirmed Speakers Include:
Dr. Belinda Cheeseboro, PhD Physics, West Virginia University
Dr. Belinda Cheeseboro was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and later moved with her family to attend high school in Ohio. She later attended Andrews University where she received her B.S. in Physics and Mathematical Studies. Following her graduation from Andrews, Dr. Cheeseboro attended graduate school at West Virginia University where she was the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. in Physics. She is currently pursuing her main career interests in science communication, mentoring, and STEM outreach.
Dr. Gerceida Jones, Associate Professor, Astronomy, New York University
Dr. Gerceida Jones has led a rich career that incorporates her diverse interests, deep love for science and a long legacy of community service. Her sincere love for astronomy led her to teach astronomy at New York University (NYU) and serve as the advisor for the Astronomy Club. Her research interests are neutron stars and the ancient Dogon tribe known for their astronomical achievements in Mali, West Africa. Dr. Jones has also published textbooks and written articles about astronomy, the science behind technology, and her outreach efforts. In the summers, she and a team of educators run a workshop called “St. Albans Under the Stars” geared towards underrepresented students of all ages who are interested in STEM fields. In the workshop, students explore the solar system and beyond using an 8’’ Celestron telescope and a solar telescope to safely view the sun.
Dr. Jones has served on several committees as an advisor or mentor and was recently recognized for her service to the community by being elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2021. Dr. Jones earned her B.S. degree in Physical Oceanography from the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan in 1981 making her the first black person in the US to receive that degree. She later received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from NYU’s Department of Applied Science in 1986 and 1997, respectively; each year graduating with honors.
Dr. Lionel Pittman, Aerospace Engineer, US Air Force
Dr. Lionel O Pittman Jr is an Aerospace Engineer for the United States Airforce. Dr Pittman’s primary duties are Subsystems and System Safety Engineering Strides for the Light Attack Aircraft Program office in the Advance Fighters Division of the Air Force. Prior to joining the Air Force, Dr Pittman was an Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences at Chicago State University (CSU). Dr. Pittman’s research interests at CSU included cooling flows in gas turbine engines, aero-thermo simulations, high energy laser target systems and wind energy systems. Prior to joining CSU, Dr. Pittman was a Research Assistant for Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory. The eldest of six children, Dr. Pittman earned a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Morehouse College, a B.S.E in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, and his M.S.A.E and Ph.D. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He is a member of the National Society of Black Physicists, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Background
The TEAM-UP Project webinar series features talks that more deeply explore the five factors that contribute to African American undergraduate student persistence in physics and astronomy as noted in the TEAM-UP report, The Time is Now: Systemic Changes to Increase African Americans with Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics and Astronomy. Those factors are: Belonging, Physics Identity, Academic Support, Personal Support, and Leadership & Structures.
More info: https://www.aip.org/diversity-initiatives/teamup-webinars.