MCDB Community Engagement Committee
The MCDB Community Engagement Committee works toward building a sense of community in our department, where each person in MCDB feels respected for who they are and what they bring to the community, and feels a sense of belonging within that community.
The MCDB Community Engagement Committee strives to:
- Organize events that help increase the sense of community and belonging across all educational and professional levels in MCDB
- Improve departmental climate
- Create awareness about important issues in STEM
- Provide students and postdocs with opportunities for professional development
- Support trainees in successfully navigating graduate school and research training
The MCDB Community Engagement Committee organizes events that are open to the entire MCDB community including:
Community Building Activities
We host community building activities to facilitate interactions among members of our community and build a sense of belonging:·
- Department-wide biweekly Chat-n-Snack events
- Celebration of cultural festivals and traditions from around the world
- International student brunch
- Baking contest
- Grad student gala (in collaboration with other MCDB student organizations)
Monthly Luncheons
The MCDB Community Engagement Committee organizes monthly luncheons with programs that have included:
- Biology-based career panels
- University of Michigan faculty and external speakers on STEM and community issues
- Open forums discussing departmental life
Mentoring
We organize a peer mentoring network for MCDB graduate students and postdocs in the summer, as well as mentoring activities throughout the year:·
- MEALS peer mentoring program
- Career Sessions with MCDB alumni
- Grad School 101 sessions for first- and second-year graduate student to illuminate the hidden curriculum
Trainee Retreat
To enhance community among trainees, the committee organizes an annual trainee-only retreat in the summer.
MCDB Seminar Speaker
Each academic year, the MCDB Community Engagement Committee hosts a seminar speaker for the MCDB Friday seminar series.
Contact Us!
The MCDB Community Engagement Committee is open to all! If you care about this mission and would like to be a part of the committee, please reach out to us.
