The University of Iowa has become a charter member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) STEMM Equity Achievement (SEA) Change program. This initiative, which aims to help colleges and universities advance institutional transformation of diversity, equity, and inclusion, aligns with UI’s ongoing strategic planning process, and will provide a mechanism for institutional review, accountability, and evolution in DEI on campus.
The mission of AAAS SEA Change is to inspire, guide, and support the voluntary transformation of diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine) fields. SEA Change member institutions commit to the group’s principles to affirm that creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community is a priority.
![Barbara Wilson Portrait]()
The University of Iowa is honored to be the first institution in our state and third from the Big Ten Conference to join AAAS SEA Change as a charter member. As the first public university in the US to admit women and men on an equal basis and regardless of race, our SEA Change membership will continue our journey to provide a more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible experience where all individuals feel valued and respected.
Timeline for Change
Formulation of Change Team and Self Assessment
2022Goal Development
2023Implementation and Self -Assessment, Iteration
2024Continue implementation, assessment; Apply for Bronze Award
2025
Year One: The Change Team
The first step will be creating a “change team” consisting of campus leadership to examine current DEI efforts through the lens of three SEA Change pillars: institute, community, and awards.
The “change team” will produce a comprehensive inventory of all DEI activities and content initiatives, and will review policies, procedures, and programs. The team will also evaluate Campus Climate Survey results to better understand Iowa’s DEI challenges and opportunities. After the evaluation stage, the team will develop a plan to build a more inclusive university community and establish accountability processes for DEI growth over the next three years.
Iowa’s DEI faculty fellows Maurine Neiman, professor in the Departments of Biology and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, and Bradley Cramer, associate professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, will lead this effort with the Office of the Provost.
![Maurine Neiman, Professor, Biology]()
“UI’s successful participation in this program will improve Iowa’s DEI landscape at a cohesive and institutional level,” said Neiman. “Our goal will be to translate this work into increased recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students from groups traditionally underrepresented or subject to negative bias or stereotyping in academia.”
Meeting Notes
June 1, 2022, Core Team Meeting
July 12, 2022, SEA Change Core Team Recruitment Sub Committee Notes
July 28, 2022, SEA Change Retention Team Meeting Notes
Aug. 5, 2022, SEA Change Impact Team Meeting Notes
Aug. 15, SEA Change Core Team Meeting
Sept. 2, 2022, SEA Change Recruitment Team Meeting Notes
Sept. 26 Recruitment Meeting Notes
Oct. 21 Core and Advisory Team Progress Update Presentation
Core Change Team Members
T.M. Weissenberger
IT/Web Accessibility Coordinator
UI ITS
Motier F. Haskins, M.S.W.
Instructional Track Lecturer
School of Social Work
Alaina Hanson
Faculty Human Resources Director
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
Kristina Gavin Bigsby
Lecturer
Tippie College of Business
Isandra Martínez-Marrero
Director of Cultural Engagement and Analytics
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Maurine Neiman
Professor of Biology, Professor of Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies
Provost Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Kate Ralston
Director for Enrollment Data Analytics
Matt Anson
Associate Director, Institutional Research and Assessment
Office of the Provost
Liz Tovar
Executive Officer & Associate Vice President, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Senior Associate Athletics Director Student-Athlete Academic Services
Charlie Taylor
Senior Advisor
Director of Communications
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
John Laverty
Senior Associate Director
Enrollment Management
Advisory Team Members
Tara Bynum, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of English & African American Studies
Margaret Chorazy
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Associate Professor
Angie Lamb, MA
Assistant Director, Academic Support and Retention
Chair, UI First-Generation Task Force
John H. Fingert, MD, PhD
Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Kate Karacay, Ph.D.
Senior Academic Advisor
Academic Advising Center
Megan Meyer
Co-Secretary (CDA), Assistant Director of Career Enhancement and Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Jane M. Nachtman, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Professor, Physics and Astronomy
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Sarah C. Vigmostad
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Associate Faculty Research Engineer IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering
Researcher Iowa Institute for Biomedical Engineering
Interim Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADDEI)
Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz
Rabbi, Agudas Achim Congregation
Denise Szecsei, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Instruction
Computer Science
Lori Adams, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Instruction, Department of Biology
Program Director, Iowa Biosciences Academy
Program Director, Latham Science Engagement Initiative
Val Garr
Multicultural Nursing Association Advisor
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars
Adjunct Instructor
University of Iowa College of Nursing