Building a workforce whose diversity reflects that of our nation is a critically important piece of our future and will keep Fermilab at the cutting edge of science and innovation for decades to come.
For nearly 40 years, the National Society of Black Physicists has been at the forefront of the efforts to diversify the nation’s scientific workforce, through its efforts to promote the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students. Fermilab has a history of partnership with NSBP, starting with hosting one of the organization’s early annual meetings back in 1981.
Next week on Friday and Saturday, Fermilab will welcome the NSBP to the lab for the organization’s first Fall Conference. Fermilab is honored to provide the venue for this pilot initiative, which is focused on providing undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs and early-career faculty with tools and information to advance to the next stage of their careers. Under the direction of NSBP President and NASA Engineer Renee Horton, the workshop’s attendee list includes more than 150 students and faculty representing institutions across the United States, Canada and the Bahamas.
In addition to NSBP-organized plenary and breakout sessions dedicated to career development, Fermilab is bringing together representatives from across the national laboratory system to inform workshop attendees about the opportunities available at the laboratories at all stages of scientific careers. Fermilab scientists or engineers interested in mentoring NSBP students or faculty through DOE-sponsored programs and who are willing to participate in a workshop on Friday morning, Oct. 28, are encouraged to contact Spencer Pasero.
Please join me next Friday in welcoming this important group of scientists and students to our laboratory.