2025 RAISE Up Inclusive STEM Retreat

Saturday, February 15, 2025, 11:45 AM to 4:45 PM

RAISE color logo

2025 program now available! (2/13/25)

This retreat aims to equip, empower and energize participants for their academic and professional paths in STEM through interactive sessions and dynamic networking opportunities to promote a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive STEM community. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

Mission Statement: The goal of the retreat is to educate, empower, and inspire Lafayette students, faculty, and staff by offering dynamic and interactive programming with workshops, networking opportunities, and alumni panels.

Retreat Program

11:45-1:15  Lunch & Keynote Speaker – Marquis Dining Hall

We’re thrilled to share that our keynote speaker will be Dr. Kenneth F. Harris II. Dr. Harris is a Senior Project Engineer for The Aerospace Corporation, contributing to both DoD and NASA payload missions. Named one of the “30 under 30” by Forbes Magazine, he is recognized as one of the world’s youngest and most influential individuals in science. Dr. Harris is known for delivering thoughtful and dynamic leadership on programs of critical national and international importance and he is one of the youngest African Americans in NASA’s history to lead an integration effort on a multi-billion-dollar satellite mission. We’re excited for you to meet Dr. Harris at the retreat and experience firsthand the insights of this trailblazer in STEM!

A colorful cartoon panel titled Raise Up Inclusive Stem Retreat: Keynote with Dr. Kenneth F. Harris II. The text is illustrated with images of the Lafayette leopard flying the RAISE flag, Harris saying "Your experience will contribute to another's success!", and a drawing of people working with the James Webb Space Telescope. "One Friday afternoon at NASA: we're designing a satellite! Me, my dad, and his office mate. My first mentorship, when I was bit by the engineering bug! Purpose - Timing - Actions I arrived to where I am today by spending time with and observing those who came before me... Different mentors for different things. Give and Take - be ready to pivot! (What do you look for in a mentor? Overcoming challenges and intention.) Is it time for me to be a mentor or mentee? Come in seasons... you are ready to be a mentor! Give back in big or small ways. Set goals and metrics, bounce ideas off your mentors. We are all a part of something bigger."

Concurrent Sessions in RISC

1:30-2:10    Workshop Session I

  • A Conversation with Dr. Kenneth Harris
  • STEMulating Financial Success (Organized by Women in Economics and the Kovalevsky Society)
  • STEM and Self Advocacy: Claiming Your Space, Shaping Your Future (Organized by Out in STEM and Society of Women Engineers)

2:10-2:20     Break 

2:20-3:00    Workshop Session II

  • Breaking Barriers: POC in STEM (Organized by the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers)
  • Being an Upstander: Navigating Microaggressions (Organized by the Society of Women Engineers and Kovalesky Society)
  • Career Clarity: Mapping Diverse Paths to Success (Organized by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers)
  • Redefining Excellence: Letting Go of Perfectionism in STEM: (Organized by Out in STEM and Women in Economics)

3:00-3:10     Break 

3:10-3:50    Hot Seat Sessions with Alumni in STEM

3:50-4:00     Break

4:00-4:45    RAISE a Glass and Poster Session 

  • Posters on Research Studies and Innovation Initiatives
  • Resource Booths: Gateway Career Center, Scholarships and Fellowships in STEM, Hanson Center for Inclusive STEM Education, and more!
  • Networking Opportunities
  • Mocktails and Appetizers

A text-heavy cartoon titled Workshop Sessions, illustrated with the Lafayette leopard in a lab coat, flying the RAISE kite. The text is grouped to describe various workshops. Building a Growth Mindset -- Pursue Opportunities STEM and Self-Advocacy: Claiming your Space, Shaping your Future organized by Out in STEM and Society of Women Engineers Self-Advocacy: Assert Yourself Confidence mapping & goal mapping Reflect on your skills, success, strengths and how to use them Explore: be in different spaces to meet new people Success stories: - meeting people who think like me! - facing imposter syndrome - find community - going to conferences - networking STEM needs diversity! Coming together as a community. Self-confidence and self-efficacy: start with confident behavior. Believe you can accomplish your goals. Navigating microaggressions. Resources on campus: - Gateway Career Center - Academic Resource Hub - Bailey Counseling Center Breaking Barriers: POC in STEM Organized by the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers Not being put in a box! It's not good enough to be in the room; you have to be heard! And respected! Campus resources: - Office of Inclusion - Counseling center - Hanson Center Affinity groups Hot seat sessions with alumni in STEM: stick with it! Closing one door opens another! There is a path for all my interests! Talk to alumni and professors to gauge why they went to grad school and if it's right for you. Show others you are a well-rounded person through your interests.