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Department of Mathematics Statement on Diversity & Inclusion
The Department of Mathematics is committed to establishing a positive climate of equity and inclusion, as an integral part of everything we do, and as a necessary baseline for our work environment. We are committed to fostering a climate in which all of us can do our jobs to the best of our abilities in a supportive and affirming department.
We welcome, value, and respect differences in, for example, race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, disability status, first language, religion, parental and family status, and socioeconomic background. We recognize that we gain by interacting with people of different standpoints.
Equity and inclusion require, at a minimum, a welcoming atmosphere of mutual respect and support. The department commits to a sustained effort to identify and eliminate barriers to engagement and achievement, and to promote an environment in which each person's work is evaluated based on the work itself. The department also commits to transparent conflict-resolution processes for students, faculty, and staff.
Our Climate, Equity & Inclusion Committee
The Department of Mathematics Climate, Equity & Inclusivity (CEI) Committee discusses issues of equity and climate broadly across the department including, but not limited to, student admission, classroom instruction, mentoring, hiring, evaluation, and the promotion and tenure process. The committee makes specific recommendations for ongoing actions or initiatives to improve the overall climate and promote an equitable and inclusive working environment.
Merit Program for Emerging Scholars
The Merit Program is a challenging program for a select group of undergraduate students. The program targets students with high potential who are members of groups who tend to be underrepresented in the areas of science, mathematics and engineering. The program also targets students from small or rural high schools.
The Merit Program is not a remedial program. To be invited into the program, students must have high academic potential and be committed to excellence. One of our main goals in the Merit Program is to develop a community of scholars among Merit students. The students in our program work together to solve difficult course problems, develop friendships based on common academic interests, and inspire each other to maintain a high level of commitment to excellence.
Learn more about the Merit Program
Diversity Commitment and Fee Waiver
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a strong commitment to diversity. As part of that commitment, the Department of Mathematics seeks to expand its search horizons and ensure that each deserving candidate for the graduate program is considered fairly and fully.
Learn more about the fee waiver
Graduate Student Advocate Program
The Graduate Student Advocate Program is designed to improve communication and help with problem-solving and guidance between the department and its graduate students. Dedicated faculty members from the Department of Mathematics are available to discuss a wide array of topics that can affect mathematics graduate students, such as burnout, imposter syndrome, conflicts with an advisor or peer, confusion about departmental procedures/policies, and more.
Learn more about the Graduate Student Advocate Program
Association for Women in Mathematics
The Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) encourages women and girls to study and pursue careers in mathematics, promoting equal opportunity for and treatment of women in STEM. Membership in the Illinois graduate chapter of AWM is open to all graduate students, regardless of gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about AWM at Illinois
Milliman Mentorship Program
Milliman is committed to promoting a high degree of diversity and inclusion within the actuarial field. The Milliman Mentorship Program provides mentorship opportunities to students from underrepresented minorities (Black, Latino, Native American) at the University of Illinois. Through a series of meetings with their own mentor—a practicing actuary at Milliman—students will be able to learn about the field and what it takes to start a job that consistently ranks as one of the top careers in the nation.