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DECADE

FIPSE DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY AND DOCTORAL EXPERIENCE (DECADE)

Sponsored by a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, DECADE aims to increase the number of minorities and women underrepresented in their disciplines receiving doctoral degrees at UC Irvine. Additionally, DECADE seeks to establish a national model for advancing access and inclusion for women and minorities in doctoral education by using successful models established through the UCI Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Program and the UCI ADVANCE Program. To accomplish this, the Graduate Division and UCI ADVANCE have partnered to deliver a multifaceted program that features involvement of faculty, students and administration, and fosters collaborative efforts between faculty and graduate students in working to improve climate, access and inclusion.

DECADE COMPETITIVE EDGE SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM

The DECADE Competitive Edge Summer Research Program is part of our DECADE program. Competitive Edge is a summer pre-entry program geared to incoming female and minority Ph.D. and M.F.A. students who are underrepresented in their disciplines. Participants in Competitive Edge will conduct research under the direct supervision and guidance of a UCIrvine faculty member. The program features workshops and seminars designed to familiarize participants with campus resources, foster professional development, establish peer support networks and develop academic strategies to enhance the graduate education experience at UCIrvine. Current students are strongly encouraged to become peer mentors for the incoming graduate students in their discipline.

EQUITY ADVISOR MODEL AND DECADE

DECADE will transform campus climate by adapting and extending the work of ADVANCE Equity Advisors to include graduate education.  Equity Advisors within each school provide a critical link between central administrative support services and individual faculty and graduate students.  Equity Advisors are senior faculty members who participate in faculty recruitment by approving search strategies and raising awareness of Best Practices. Additionally, they organize faculty development programs, with both formal and informal mentoring, and address individual issues raised by women and underrepresented minority faculty.  Equity advisors will also collaborate with DECADE Faculty Mentors to develop best practices for nurturing an inclusive climate for all graduate students. 

RESOURCES FOR EQUITY ADVISORS:

DECADE FACULTY MENTORS

DECADE Faculty Mentors will dedicate their efforts to nurturing a positive diversity climate within their academic programs by serving as a resource to graduate students and faculty.  DECADE Faculty Mentors will also collaborate with Equity Advisors and graduate students from their school to promote an inclusive climate for all students. 

RESOURCES FOR DECADE FACULTY MENTORS:

DECADE Mentor Graduate Diversity Awards

Growth and support of a diverse graduate population continues to be a top strategic priority for UC Irvine.  The UCI Graduate Division is currently seeking proposals to provide appropriate support to graduate students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in graduate education so that they feel welcome and thrive in their studies at UC Irvine.  For more detailed information about the DECADE Mentor Graduate Diversity Awards please see the call for applications.

DECADE Call for Diversity Events

Diversity is a strategic objective at UCI and the Diverse Educational Community and Doctoral Experience (DECADE) initiative promotes an inclusive culture.  In fall 2011, the DECADE Speaker Series was inaugurated to encourage dialogue focused on campus climate and diversity.  In order to continue this conversation, the Graduate Division is seeking proposals for events such as speakers, panels, workshops, or performances that pertain to diversity.

Extended Submission Deadline: June 30, 2012

DECADE STUDENT COUNCIL

The DECADE Student Council consists of current graduate students who are advisory to DECADE leadership, Equity Advisors, and the Graduate Dean’s Diversity Council.  They also help plan and organize programming and events for DECADE, including workshops and seminars.  Events to be hosted by the committee include a Leadership Retreat held in August, as well as a Fall Welcome. Meetings take place on the second Monday of the month in the Graduate Resource Center from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

  • List of upcoming DECADE Student Council meeting dates

DECADE Student Travel Awards

The DECADE Student Travel Award Program will provide funds in support of travel to conferences providing an array of professional development opportunities for DECADE-eligible graduate students.  Awards of up to $1,000 are available to DECADE-eligible* doctoral students.  Students may be awarded conference travel funding through this program only ONCE per year.  Please note that the average award will be made in the $500 range. Please see the application for additional eligibility information.

THINK – TRANSFER HONORS INTERCONNECT

The Graduate Division and the Campuswide Honors Program have partnered to develop a special graduate preparation program for honors transfer students.  This program consists of a series of workshops, assignments and mentoring designed to help students apply and transition into a graduate program.  Beginning fall 2011, this unique two-year program brings together the expertise of faculty, graduate student mentors, and staff to support students’ journey into graduate education.

 PROGRAM BENEFITS:

  • Guidance and support for students, as they transition to UCI and explore graduate programs
  • Monthly workshops designed to help maximize time at UCI in preparation for graduate school
  • Mentoring from a Graduate Student Mentor currently enrolled in a graduate program at UCI
  • Become part of a community of transfer students interested in graduate school
  • Students who complete the first year of the program will be eligible to participate in a Princeton Review GRE course (valued at $1199) and take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for free during the summer.

 PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT:

  • Students who wish to participate are required to commit to the program for two years
  • Participation includes attending all workshops and meetings as well as completing all assignments

 For more information please contact: Michelle Lee.

DECADE PRESS

The DECADE Student Planning Committee produces a printed quarterly newsletter that informs graduate students about upcoming conferences, fellowship deadlines, career planning and development, and other topics relevant to graduate education. Hardcopies of the DECADE Press can be picked up at the Graduate Division (Aldrich Hall 120) or the Graduate Resource Center.

EVENTS

The DECADE Program sponsors quarterly events addressing a wide array of topics related to diversity and campus climate.  The UCI community is invited to participate.  Check back here, and the Graduate Division Calendar for more information about upcoming DECADE events.

DECADE SPEAKER SERIES

The DECADE Speaker Series features distinguished speakers from across the country and invites the UCI community to participate in dialogue focused on campus climate and diversity.

Erwin Chemerinsky - October 17, 2011

Carlos V. Grijalva - December 1, 2011

Frances Leslie, Susan Coutin, Doug Haynes, Carrie Carmody - April 18, 2012

  • Perceptions of Diversity at UCI: 2010 DECADE Climate Survey Free Response Analysis
  • PowerPoint presentation - coming soon

Marta Tienda - May 30,2012

  • Diversifying Graduate Programs: Best Practices for Graduate Recruitment and Admissions

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DECADE PROGRAM

 

 

 

 

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