Message from the Deans: Monday’s DEI Challenge

On Monday, February 22, COSAM began a program called the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Challenge. Each day an email was sent out to all COSAM employees containing a link to an article or video, along with a few discussion questions, that were intended to promote a conversation about some aspect of DEI. The Challenges were developed by an external consultant, with some input from Assistant Dean Kim Mulligan-Guy and from me.

For the first two weeks, the DEI Challenges have motivated many thoughtful and important conversations among members of the COSAM community during separate discussion sessions held via Zoom. One goal of each challenge was to make everyone in COSAM think hard about and discuss difficult topics to help enact change towards inclusion, equity, and diversity in COSAM. 

The first two weeks of this initiative seemed to be very successful. Unfortunately, the Challenge sent out on March 15 that was not well thought out. There are ways to have conversations about difficult topics that do not require utilizing examples from groups focused on hatred and racial violence. The result was a very strong negative response by many folks in COSAM and by others who have learned of all or parts of the Challenge. The following message was sent to all of the original recipients of the Challenge email yesterday.

COSAM welcomes 10 new members of the COSAM Leaders

The COSAM Leaders is an elite group of junior or senior students with good academic records, who are poised, articulate, and engaging, and serve by representing COSAM at college events. 

Dental student tapped for out-of-the-box role

Austin Stiles is helping others with information technology needs while he attends the UAB School of Dentistry. While in COSAM, Stiles earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences in 2017 and a master's of biological sciences in 2018. He was also a research assistant and a supplemental instructor at Auburn. 

Provost announces tenure, promotion list for 2021

Congratulations to the following COSAM faculty: 

Associate Professor with Tenure - Daniel Warner, Biological Sciences; Hans-Werner van Wyk, Mathematics and Statistics; Jason Upton, Biological Sciences; Ryan Range, Biological Sciences; Tonia Schwartz, Biological Sciences

Professor - Chris Goldsmith, Chemistry/Biochemistry; Konrad Patkowski, Chemistry/Biochemistry

Research Professor - Xueyi Wang, Physics

Senior Lecturer - Shobnom Ferdous, Biological Sciences; Djibo Zanzot, Biological Sciences 

Creating your continued connection with COSAM

Don't miss an interactive meeting to learn about the ways to connect with COSAM on Thursday, March 18 from 1—2 p.m. CT. 

Zoom link: https://auburn.zoom.us/j/85264788101 

COSAM’s Meredith Powell offers help for students with new podcast, Advising 2 Bits

“These podcasts will help students learn about valuable resources and opportunities to ensure students get the information they need and know how to find help for the best experience possible,” COSAM Academic Advisor Meredith Powell said. 

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COSAM Today is published by COSAM's Office of Communications and Marketing. Questions? Send an email to mcg0052@auburn.edu.