Increasing the diversity (students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, advisory board members, and staff) of COPE is central to its mission. COPE's efforts in this regard are expected to ultimately translate into an enhanced diversity in the information technology research and development workforce.
COPE strives to enhance diversity by:
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Supporting new faculty additions from diverse backgrounds, including those hires explicitly committed to COPE.
COPE members endeavor to provide these faculty members with a supportive environment, and where possible, financial support for their research and educational efforts, and mentoring support for the realization of their career objectives.
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Providing resources to aid in the recruitment of graduate and undergraduate students from under-represented groups into Center activities and attempting to nurture them in a supportive environment that recognizes and enhances individual professional aspirations.
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Students from Tri-Cities High School with their new chemistry book sponsored by COPE.
Recognizing that long-term and truly significant improvement in diversity requires attention to K-12 education. Therefore, COPE works closely with CEISMC and other entities at Georgia Tech to actively engage K-12 populations with the greatest percentages of individuals from under-represented groups. K-12 student mentoring activities are initiated in collaboration with the university minority outreach offices and with the public school systems, through programs such as STEP and GIFT.
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Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh) Workshop
COPE is working with COACh to provide workshop opportunities for all female graduate students and post-doctorates.
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NOBCChE Conference 2006
Faculty and students are participating in the NOBCChE National Conference.