Work towards broadening participation in astronomy

Throughout my career I have been consistently devoted to broadening participation in astronomy.   At my departmental level I wrote our successful application for our membership in the APS Bridge Program.  I also have served on the department's Access and Engagement committee.  More importantly I was the head Graduate Student Advisor and Director of Graduate Studies for a total of 11 years.  In my time in this position I fostered an inclusive environment for all graduate students through policy changes to improve transparency and clarity, proactive mentoring, a holistic consideration of student needs, and working to provide assistance to students in need.  This was especially critical during COVID years as students faced a host of unprecedented challenges in an arena of areas.

At the University level I worked as a member of various committees to highlight the need to advocate for more funding for students from groups that have challenges attending college, including veterans, women, students from rural areas, first generation college students, and students from historically marginalized groups.

At the national level I was a member of the American Astronomical Society's (AAS) Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy (CSWA) from 2017-2024.  As part of this committee I helped to write the Strategic Plan for the 2020's and was in charge of implementing the Strategic Plan through its various projects.  I also was a leading co-author on a series of papers that provided recommendations to the AAS on how to improve the status of women in our professional society.

Most recently I was elected to the AAS as a member at large of the Board of Trustees.  In this role I will work to broaden the participation of the whole discipline and to improve mentoring programs.