Prof. Vernita Gordon, UT-Austin

"Being Human in Physics"

Abstract: In recent years, the physics department has done some soul-searching to find how we can create a better environment for students who don't fit the "typical" physics mode. Such students have not always felt welcome or included in the departmental community in the past. My Provost's Teaching Fellowship project has addressed this in two ways, small group mentoring and a seminar class. These have both made significant strides toward meeting felt needs in the department. However, this project in its current form, being run by one faculty member (me), is insufficient to meet those needs as comprehensively as I would like. I need help, and I hope to tell the department about what I have been doing and to find some people to join me in this.