Connecting buildings in both directions

In June 2023, following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that barred colleges and universities from considering race in their admissions, educational institutions nationwide were challenged with the task of preserving diversity in their student populations. Noelle Wakefield, director of MIT’s Summer Research Program (MSRP) and assistant dean for diversity initiatives in MIT’s Office of Graduate Education (OGE), took the lead in addressing this issue.

On July 31, just over a year after the court ruling, the OGE organized the inaugural Inclusive Pathways to the PhD Summit, which brought together representatives from nearly 20 minority-serving institutions (MSIs), including various historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The central question of how to attract a diverse group of graduate students within the new legal constraints was just the beginning of a broader and more intricate discourse.

Wakefield poses questions about innovative approaches to sourcing talent from underrepresented areas and establishing partnerships with institutions outside of MIT’s usual network. This necessitates a reevaluation of collaborative strategies to ensure mutual benefit and satisfaction from the collaborations.

While such outreach inquiries are not novel for MIT, the evolving landscape of admissions necessitated a more deliberate approach for the Institute to navigate. Denzil Streete, senior associate dean and director of the OGE, emphasizes the importance of dispelling misunderstandings and correcting outdated perceptions among MIT faculty and visitors from HBCUs and MSIs to foster a more inclusive and transparent exchange.

For years, the OGE has concentrated on recruiting students from HBCUs and MSIs, but the summit signifies a shift towards engaging faculty and staff as influencers in the decision-making processes of potential graduate students. This strategic pivot aims to uphold MIT’s reputation for attracting outstanding talent while broadening the pool of participating institutions.

Incorporating informative sessions on MIT’s graduate admission procedures, research opportunities for undergraduates, and engaging discussions with current MIT doctoral candidates who hail from the represented MSIs, the summit provided a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and relationship-building. Visitors from various institutions, including Spelman College, Prairie View A & M University, and the University of Puerto Rico, contributed to enriching conversations on reciprocity and collaboration.

Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, dean of the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University, found the discussions at the summit to be authentic and insightful, shedding light on the disparities and resource constraints that HBCUs routinely face. She appreciated MIT’s efforts to facilitate access and opportunities for HBCUs while recognizing their potential contributions to the broader academic community.

The summit aimed to establish a two-way flow of access and opportunities between MIT and HBCUs, ensuring that collaborations are founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and impactful mentorship rather than mere financial transactions. Establishing meaningful partnerships requires a shared vision, common objectives, and a genuine interest in collective growth and advancement.

Kareem McLemore, assistant vice president of strategic enrollment management at Delaware State, underscores the importance of aligning partnership goals beyond superficial checkboxes and integrating meaningful key performance indicators to yield tangible outcomes for all stakeholders involved. The focus should be on leveraging the unique strengths and resources of each institution collaboratively to enhance their respective profiles and impact.

The summit marked the commencement of trust-building among institutions with diverse backgrounds and capabilities, fostering a fertile ground for innovative partnership ideas and collaborative initiatives in research, curriculum development, and faculty exchanges. By expanding its network through events like the Inclusive Pathways Summit, MIT aims to enrich its ecosystem of opportunities, collaboration, and problem-solving strategies for the collective benefit of all parties involved.