C-PIES Names Inclusive Excellence Faculty Fellows

The Center for Promoting Inclusion and Equity in the Sciences (C-PIES) has named Eric Schumacher, Christina Ragan, and Carrie Shepler as recipients of the 2024-2025 College of Sciences C-PIES Inclusive Excellence Faculty Fellowship. 

Schumacher, a professor in the School of Psychology; Ragan, an academic professional in the School of Biological Sciences; and Shepler, assistant dean of Teaching Effectiveness in the College and a principal academic professional in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry joined forces with a proposal to expand educational content in chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. Their goal is to offer a new pedagogical approach to teaching that incorporates underrepresented groups in STEM. 

“This project aims to create content that instructors can easily integrate into their courses to create a more inclusive learning experience,” says C-PIES Program Operations Director Lea Marzo. 

Schumacher adds that the team plans to highlight science done by researchers from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Shepler explains that “when students don't see their own identities reflected in the curriculum, it can make them feel demotivated or as if they don't belong in the discipline. Our goal is to highlight the hidden figures in science and engender a greater sense of belonging in the sciences."

“We are excited to support the inclusive education goals of our community,” shares C-PIES Director and Professor in the School of Biological Sciences Lewis A. Wheaton, who also serves as Director of the Cognitive Motor Control Lab. “This effort is in line with our Institute goal of creating cross-cultural competence of our students to support their development as future global leaders."

The team’s project, which runs through June 2025, is also supported by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence Grant. 

"We have been thrilled to see the level of interest from students, and this increases our belief that this project can make a difference for students in our introductory courses," says Shepler. 

Click here to learn more about C-PIES and the annual Inclusive Faculty Fellowship.