At the UW-Madison Department of Chemistry, people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills and interests become friends, mentors and colleagues. The department works to foster a community that welcomes and encourages diverse individuals and ideas by offering seminars, supergroup meetings, path events, health and wellness opportunities, professional development and department-wide social events.
Within the larger chemistry community you can also get involved in smaller groups that share more specific interests or activities. Check out the list below to learn more about these groups.
Learn more about equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives at UW-Madison.
“The GSFLC Outreach Committee provides opportunities throughout the year for students to engage the public!”
– Paige Kinsley (Hamers Lab)
CDEI Vision Statement
The Department of Chemistry is committed to creating an environment where every member of our community is valued, feels a sense of belonging, and has the opportunity to thrive as their authentic selves. We embrace diverse identities, cultural backgrounds, and viewpoints, and we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment that provides equitable opportunities for all our community members. We recognize diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to all aspects of department governance and critical to reaching our full potential as world-class leaders in scholarly research, education, and service.
“I have felt a strong sense of community by participating in a wide range of networking and social activities—from student-faculty breakfasts to board game nights—there is a little bit of something for everyone.” – Samantha Knott (Ge Lab)
“It is important to grow your skill set beyond just chemistry. The UW-Madison Department of Chemistry offers opportunities to get involved within our community and to pursue interests in professional development.” – Desiree Bates (Computational Chemistry Leader)
At UW–Madison, I’ve found a caring community where I’m comfortable being myself and sharing my passions. From art to philosophy to photochemistry, I can pursue what I care about.” – Philip Lampkin (Gellman Lab)
Ways to Get Involved (Department-affiliated organizations)
The Benzine
The Benzine is a student-led micropublication sitting at the intersection of art and chemistry, which is dedicated to cultivating the UW–Madison chemistry community. Twice a year, the group publishes original artistic content from graduate students, postdocs and undergraduates to celebrate the varied interests of our community.
Bridge to the Chemistry Doctorate Program
The UW Bridge to the Chemistry Doctorate Program is a post-baccalaureate program aimed at increasing the number of students from under-represented minority groups who complete the Ph.D. degree in chemistry.
Book Club
The Department of Chemistry offers a book club, through which members read and discuss content in small group settings. Book Club offers the opportunity for conversation, learning and for building friendships and fostering relationships.
Catalyst
The Catalyst program is designed to help first-year graduate students from underserved populations succeed in the chemistry graduate program at UW-Madison.
Chemistry Opportunities (CHOPs)
The Chemistry Opportunities (CHOPS) program invites approximately 20 highly qualified prospective students to the UW-Madison Chemistry Department for an all-expense-paid weekend to explore the chemistry Ph.D. graduate program.
Graduate Student Faculty Liaison Committee
The Graduate Student Faculty Liaison Committee (GSFLC) connects graduate students, post docs, and faculty through community events and by pursuing initiatives to benefit the department. Any student or post doc can request to join the GSFLC and serve on one of four subcommittees: Wellness, Community Building, Professional Development, and Outreach.
NOBCChE - UW-Madison Chapter
The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) is an intersectional, gender-inclusive community of BIPOC leaders in science looking to network and support each other. NOBCChE is a national organization devoted to the professional advancement of black chemists and chemical engineers. The UW-Madison chapter of NOBCCHE accepts memberships from both undergraduate and graduate students interested in chemistry and other STEM fields.
Queer+ in Chemistry
Queer+ in Chemistry is a student-led organization that aims to build community in our department by hosting social events, seminars, and workshops that promote an inclusive campus climate for LGBTQ+ students & staff, as well as for all underrepresented groups.
Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy (WISL)
WISL's mission for Science Literacy is to promote literacy in science, mathematics and technology among the general public and to attract future generations to careers in research, teaching and public service. WISL and Professor Bassam Z. Shakhashiri share the fun of science through home science activities, public presentations, scholarship, and other programs. Contact the Science is Fun team to see how you can volunteer to help with outreach.
Women in Chemistry (WIC)
WIC elevates voices and issues associated with being women* in chemistry with monthly programming including WIC coffee hours, diversity seminars, and panel discussions. The group strives to create a platform that promotes diversity and inclusivity where all feel welcome.
*WIC defines women as including any individual who identifies as a woman and/or femme, not just those assigned female at birth.
Additional Resources
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Affinity Groups for Faculty & Staff
The Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA) hosts Affinity Group Gatherings for UW–Madison faculty and staff. These informal social gatherings are intended to help faculty and staff with underrepresented and/or marginalized identities come together to build community, make connections and share resources.
Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement
The Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA) supports the mission of the University of Wisconsin–Madison as it works to create a diverse, inclusive, and excellent learning and work environment for all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others who partner with the university.
Employee Disability Resources
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to providing students, faculty, staff and visitors with access to its programs, services and facilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodations that ensure qualified applicants and employees with disabilities have equal employment opportunities.
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center
The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center provides education, outreach, advocacy, and resources for UW-Madison student communities and their allies to improve campus climate and their daily intersectional experiences. The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center envisions a University of Wisconsin-Madison that actively addresses oppression in all its forms and affirms, includes, and celebrates people across the spectrum of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, including their intersectional experiences and perspectives.
Graduate Women in Science
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) is a national, professional organization whose aims are to:
- Advance women in the field of scientific research
- Recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to research or science education
- Promote scientific research through grants, awards, and fellowships
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) has been empowering women as individuals and as a community since 1921. The group works to advance the participation and recognition of women in scientific fields through grants, awards, and fellowships. With more than 1,000 members and many chapters spread across the globe, the organization is stronger than ever. The Madison chapter (originally the Beta chapter), was chartered in 1922.
International Student Services
International Student Services (ISS) serves UW-Madison students on F and J visas by providing holistic support through advising on immigration, personal, and cultural matters, and by organizing events and activities to support students’ engagement and development within the campus community.
Latinx Cultural Center
UW-Madison’s Latinx Cultural Center (LCC) is an intersectional, gender-inclusive Latinx community with Undergrads and Grad students. The center serves Latinx students by facilitating opportunities for academic and social support, co-curricular programming, and community building. The mission of the LCC is to facilitate an environment for Latinx identifying students that provides academic, professional, and social opportunities that critically engage their identity and build communities of support at UW-Madison.
McBurney Disability Resource Center
The McBurney Disability Resource Center is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive educational experience for students by partnering with students, faculty, and staff to design accessible environments and to provide academic accommodations so that students can engage, explore and participate in the Wisconsin Idea.
Multicultural Student Center
The Multicultural Student Center works to collaboratively strengthen and sustain an inclusive campus where all students, particularly students of color and other historically underserved students, can realize an authentic Wisconsin Experience.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.
STEM Diversity Network
The UW-Madison STEM diversity network is the online destination for resources related to STEM diversity on campus and beyond. While other programs on campus offer support to students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds, the STEM Diversity Network is a place designed to help all interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers specifically. This network exists to aid the academic and social advancement of students (undergrad, grad, postdocs) in STEM by providing students with connections to other students, faculty, and resources available to help them succeed.
Teaching Assistants’ Association
The Teaching Assistant’s Association is the labor union representing all graduate student workers at UW–Madison (TAs, PAs, RAs, GAs, and Fellows). It is the oldest graduate employee union in the world. Organizing began in 1966 and the first contract with the university was completed in 1970.
Women in Science and Engineering Leadership Institute
The Women in Science & Engineering Leadership Institute (WISELI) is a research center at UW–Madison. WISELI’s mission is to increase the representation, advancement, and workplace satisfaction of women faculty and members of groups currently underrepresented on the faculty and in leadership at UW–Madison. WISELI serves as a visible, campus-wide research center, endorsed by top-level administrators, that uses UW–Madison as a “living laboratory” to study gender equity, diversity, and climate; implement evidence-based solutions; and measure success.
CLIMATE RESOURCES
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Anonymous Suggestion Box
People within the Department of Chemistry can use the completely anonymous suggestion box to contact department leadership with questions or concerns.
Chemistry Active Listeners (Climate/Diversity/Equity)
Chemistry Active Listeners address individual concerns of harassment or specific issues on climate raised by any member of the department (students, faculty or staff). Those who experience or observe incidents they perceive as harassment or detrimental to the department climate are encouraged to contact any member of the Chemistry Active Listeners. Whatever you say will be kept confidential and no actions will be taken without your express permission (except as required by Federal and State regulations). Members of the committee can serve as sounding boards, but will also work with you to find a solution. Their familiarity with campus resources is a key asset in helping to ensure an accepting and productive departmental climate.
Chemistry Active Listeners include:
John Berry
Heike Hofstetter
Chemistry Staff with Open Doors
Any department member may contact one of the staff members below for help with concerns. They listen and treat individual circumstances with privacy and respect, no matter how big or small.
Contacts:
Matt Sanders, executive director
Jeanne Hamers undergraduate chemistry director
Climate/Diversity Committee
The Climate/Diversity Committee works to ensure that the Department of Chemistry maintains a welcoming environment. This committee also addresses individual and general concerns regarding climate, and develops strategies to increase overall well-being and diversity within the department. The committee welcomes your input and suggestions and can assist with needs and concerns pertaining to gender, ethnic, cultural, racial, and any other types of biases. Comments are kept confidential (except as required by Federal and State regulations). The committee includes graduate students, faculty, and staff of diverse ethic and cultural origins.
Dean of Students Office
The Dean of Students Office is a primary resource for connecting students who are navigating personal, academic, or health issues, to supportive campus and community resources. The Dean of Students Office also serves as a central location for reporting issues of hate and bias, sexual assault, and hazing.
The office is committed to fostering a caring environment for all students. Responsibilities include the Bias Reporting Process, addressing Sexual Assault, Dating, and Domestic Violence, as well as many other issues affecting student wellbeing.
Hostile and Intimidating Behavior
Hostile and intimidating behavior, sometimes known by the shorthand term “bullying,” is defined in university policy as “unwelcome behavior pervasive or severe enough that a reasonable person would find it hostile and/or intimidating and that does not further the University’s academic or operational interests.”
This resource provides an overview of policies and campus resources touching on all aspects of bullying.
Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards office upholds every student’s right to learn in a community that is safe, and fosters integrity and accountability. Policies cover student academic and non-academic procedures, residence hall expectations and protest policy.
University Ombuds Office
The Ombuds Office is a safe place where UW-Madison employees can seek guidance regarding workplace concerns at any time, without fear of reprisal, and at no cost to them. Ombuds provide faculty and staff with a confidential place to collaboratively explore complaints, clarify issues, and consider options and resources to address their concerns. Ombuds are impartial and non-aligned, working to promote fairness in the workplace.
Additional information on the above and other resources can be found at https://compliance.wisc.edu/titleix/campus-procedures/reporting/
Graduate Student Climate Survey
“As the conversation about mental health and well-being during graduate school grows nationally, graduate students at UW–Madison are leading a charge to make talking about department climate and mental health the norm.
A climate survey in the Department of Chemistry at UW–Madison is improving support for graduate students and postdocs in the department, due to leadership from graduate students with the backing of faculty, staff, and campus mental health professionals.
Broadly, the student team’s work administering and sharing results from the survey within their department has made it clear that it’s OK to talk about mental health and other challenges that graduate students face, said PhD student Tesia Janicki…”