Diversity & Community Fellows Program

Call for Applications

The Office for Graduate Diversity (OGD) is seeking Diversity and Community Fellows for the next academic year. Fellows will be appointed for the period August 12, 2024 through May 23, 2025. Diversity and Community (D&C) Fellows, individually and collectively, will support advancing and implementing the Diversity and Inclusion goals of OGD and the Graduate Division. The D&C Fellows Program is directed by Assistant Dean for Graduate Diversity, Martha Chavez, and Fellows will collaborate with the Office for Graduate Diversity team and campus partners.

Critical components of this work will include but are not limited to, supporting an inclusive graduate community and enhancing the cultural, academic, and professional experience of graduate students to foster a culture of belonging, particularly for those who have been minoritized in higher education. 

Fellows’ projects may include:

  • Recruitment and outreach to current and prospective underrepresented students;
  • Supporting peer mentorship;
  • Championing the Graduate Diversity Task Force recommendations;
  • Coordinating events and workshops for graduate students on relevant issues; and
  • Uplifting successful diversity and inclusion initiatives across campus

Application deadline: May 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm PST. Finalists will be contacted regarding next steps at the beginning of June 2024.

Submit your application.

Fellowship Placement

In addition to being involved in outreach and recruitment and mentoring prospective and current students, all Fellows will be assigned a placement to support either OGD programs, initiatives, or campus partner offices. NOTE: In the application, you will be asked to rank your top five (5) preferred placements for the fellowship.  If you are interested in all placements, be sure to select “any placement” as one of your 5 options.

Admissions Outreach and Recruitment  

  • Contribute to increasing diversity in graduate education by assisting in planning, convening, and emceeing events to support outreach and recruitment events. Recruitment travel may be involved.

 

Inclusive Excellence Hub 

  • Support a multi-disciplinary and dynamic learning community by assisting in planning, convening, and emceeing events at the Inclusive Excellence Hub (e.g., professional and academic development, wellness, community building events, etc.)

 

UndocuGrads Program

  • Improve educational opportunities and experiences for Undocumented Graduate Students by assisting in planning, convening, and emceeing events (e.g., community dinners, healing circles, career/professional development and wellness activities, etc.).

 

American Indian Graduate Program and Native American Student Development 

  • Strengthen educational connections, recruitment, and support for American Indian, Indigenous, and Native Graduate Students by assisting in planning and convening community dinners, career/professional development, wellness activities, etc.).

 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice (DEIBJ) Departmental Initiatives

  • Support DEIBJ, culture, and climate initiatives within campus departments by sharing student experiences and perspectives and assisting in planning and convening events.

 

Getting into Graduate School (GiGS) Program 

 

Disabled Graduate Student Initiatives 

  • Advance an inclusive environment for graduate students with disabilities by helping to plan, convene, and emcee events for Disabled Graduate Students (e.g., peer support spaces, community dinners, wellness events, etc.).

 

STEM Excellence through Equity & Diversity (SEED) Scholars Program

  • Support STEM excellence by providing undergraduate SEED Scholars Program participants with mentoring sessions and helping plan, convene, and emcee professional development and graduate school preparation events.

 

Undergraduate Transfer and Mentorship Initiatives

  • Provide mentorship support for undergraduate Transfer students and those participating in the Millers Scholars Program.

 

STEM*FYI Program

  • Advance community building and support for graduate students by assisting the STEM*FYI Program in resource sharing and planning career/professional development, wellness, and social events.

 

Diversity and Community Fellows Program

  • Support successful diversity and inclusion initiatives across campus by assisting in planning and convening events for the Diversity & Community Fellows

Why become a Diversity and Community Fellow?

  • Opportunity to intentionally develop and improve leadership and professional skills around issues of diversity and inclusion for fellows as they explore academic and professional careers;
  • Coordinate with the Office for Graduate team to co-create the community you desire as a Cal graduate student;
  • Advocate to campus leadership on issues impacting underrepresented graduate students;
  • Share your experience and knowledge by participating in recruitment events.

Stipend

Diversity and Community Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,500 per academic year, paid at the start of each semester. This annual stipend is in addition to any other awards, stipends and fellowships that students may be in receipt of, and doesn’t limit eligibility to hold academic appointments.

Eligibility and Application

All UC Berkeley graduate and professional school students are welcome to apply. Fellows must be current or admitted UCB graduate or professional school students enrolled full time for the entire academic year and available approximately 5 hours per week. Students should remain in good academic standing during the fellowship year. Applications for the Academic Year 2024-2025 can be found here: Application Link 

Application deadline: May 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm PST. Finalists will be contacted regarding next steps at the beginning of June 2024.

Submit your application.

Time Commitment

Diversity and Community Fellows will be expected to commit to 20 hours of engagement per month during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 academic year. Fellows’ weekly commitment will include supporting OGD’s diversity and inclusion goals and holding weekly mentoring sessions to share information on their own and other graduate student experiences and knowledge of campus resources. Fellows will be expected to attend weekly and D&C Fellows Monthly Meetings.

Connect with a Diversity & Community Fellow

Want to know what its really like to be a Diversity & Community Fellow? Meet current students in this role, set up a time to talk.

Questions?

Contact the Office for Graduate Diversity at [email protected]