Group Description

Categories: Academic and Educational, Cultural and Diversity

The Association of Multicultural Scientists (AMS) is a student organization comprised primarily of historically underrepresented students* pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree in an applied science graduate program at the University of Minnesota. AMS is dedicated to the support, retention and recruitment of historically underrepresented students in the applied science disciplines. Our primary goals are to 1) assist students in the successful completion of their graduate studies by offering activities and support which will meet academic, professional, and social needs in an atmosphere of cultural context and comfort; 2) promote awareness within the university’s scientific community of the ever growing presence of qualified minority post doctoral trainees and faculty candidates and 3) promote awareness of other minority programs on campus through joint sponsorship of activities.

Group's principal activities, events, or programs:

AMS members are expected to attend meetings and participate in sponsored activities including:
Guest minority faculty seminar series
Quarterly Roundtable luncheons
Careers in Science mixers
“Welcome to the U” Social gathering

How this group's activities benefit the University community:

AMS is founded on the premise that in order to obtain diversity within the campus’s scientific community, it is imperative that members belonging to historically underrepresented groups be present on all levels of the University’s infrastructure. AMS is committed to aid in the recruitment and retention of minority graduate students and faculty.

How this group fits into its categories:

AMS is open to all students. Our focus, however is in diversifying the University's life science community. Therefore, some of AMS' initiatives are focused on increasing the presence of scientists who come from underrepresented communities.

How to get involved with this group:

Anyone in or interested in the applied science disciplines are welcome. Membership is FREE. We meet once per month generally on the East Bank campus.