Community, Collaboration, and Climate

TL;DR

This paper discusses how Pomona College's Mathematics & Statistics Department shifted from remedial programs to an inclusive, community-focused approach to improve diversity, collaboration, and climate within the department.

Contribution

It introduces a department-wide, anti-deficit strategy emphasizing community and collaboration to enhance diversity and inclusivity in mathematics education.

Findings

Improved department climate and inclusivity

Enhanced collaboration among students and faculty

Shift from remediation to systemic change

Abstract

The Department of Mathematics & Statistics at Pomona College has long worked to create an inclusive and welcoming space for all individuals to study mathematics. Many years ago, our approach to the lack of diversity we saw in our majors was remediation through programming which sought to ameliorate student deficits. More recently, however, we have taken an anti-deficit approach with focus on changes to the department itself. The programs we have implemented are described below as enhancing community, collaboration, and climate within our department.