Article by Eun Ji Chung, Ph.D.

In March, we introduced Dr. Chinonye (Chi-Chi) Nnakwe who is the Director of Graduate Diversity Recruitment at the University of Chicago (https://www.awis-chicago.org/community/march-2012-scientist-of-the-month-chinonye-chi-chi-nnakwe). We wanted to follow-up with her and this newly-created position that aims to increase the population of traditionally underrepresented groups in the graduate population.

After we do quick introductions, Chi-Chi is on the white board and gets right to the point. She explains that name recognition of the University of Chicago among academic circles of underrepresented minorities needs to be improved. Often times, only students that have undergraduate faculty mentors and advisors are presented with the U of C as a top choice and are provided the encouragement to apply. In addition, while careers such as doctors and lawyers are prevalent enough where there is a general understanding of their roles and contributions to society, explaining what someone does with a Ph.D. degree is not as obvious. Therefore, Chi-Chi’s main objectives are to make the Ph.D. degree tangible to students as early as high school and to increase name recognition, recruitment, and retention.

Chi-Chi lists out 5 initiatives that she has been implemented to achieve these goals:

1. UC Weekend (March): This event was started in 2012 and includes the entire campus with activities such as Scientific Diversity Symposium, alumni/career panels, and faculty presentations in order to welcome prospective minority students. Mark your calendars:  This year’s event is April 4-6, 2013.
2. School Visits (year round): Chi-Chi’s travel schedule includes college and high school visits as well as conferences to attract students to the U of C. Chi-Chi also follows-up with students that want to experience it for themselves through the campus visitation program, continuing the conversation and relationship started through her initial visit. In addition to campus tours, prospective students are introduced to graduate students from their relative departments.
3. Student Advisory Board: This is a new initiative that includes a board of current students who will partner with Chi-Chi to speak to issues of recruitment and retention.
4. Pipeline Programs:  Chi-Chi collaborates with the directors of pipeline programs to provide students with a more intimate experience than campus visitations through internships that may serve as a pipeline to attract prospective students to UChicago.  Social media avenues such as Facebook and Linkedin have been implemented to continue to foster these relationships.
5. Evaluations: Chi-Chi takes part in evaluating various past programs, like UC Weekend, to gain strategic insight for grants development and future recruitment initiatives.

While Chi-Chi’s research experience as a graduate student and her time as a consultant provided great technical and managerial experience, Chi-Chi recognizes her interaction with students and the ability to mentor in her role as the Director of Graduate Recruitment Diversity to be incredibly rewarding. She also recognizes the great enthusiasm and the support from faculty, administrators and students from all parts of campus.