RIO works to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all persons of color. We recognize and value the perspectives and contributions of community members from all cultures, ethnicities and international origins within our institute. We work to support all students, staff and faculty in their overall well-being and professional development.
STEM Routes
STEM Routes is focused on suppoting undergraduates for preparing and applying to graduate school. Led by graduate students, for undergraduates, this group provides access to the cultural capital required for applying to and succeeding in graduate school.
Center for Inclusion and Social Change (CISC)
The CISC supports undergraduate and graduate students across multiple identities, including students of color, LGBTQ+ students, QTBIPOC students, women and femme students and first-generation students. They provide community-building programs, educational opportunities, and a space for students to interact with people from different cultures.
SMART program
The Colorado Diversity Initiative (CDI) offers 10-week summer research internships for rising juniors and seniors at colleges and universities nationwide through the Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program.
Colorado Advantage Graduate Preview Weekend
The Colorado Advantage Program fully funds a graduate preview weekend for interested & eligible students applying to STEM doctoral programs at CU Boulder. The program runs the Fall before doctorate program admissions, and applications are typically due in Mid-September. For individuals from underrepresented backgrounds interested in exploring behavioral genetics, this is a great way to experience the program before applying.
Student Academic Success Center
Multicultural academic learning community offering academic skills development, math and writing courses, supplementary instruction in gateway courses, tutoring, pre-collegiate and graduate research opportunities.
McNair Scholars
Federal aid program that prepares undergraduates for doctoral studies through involvement in research.
Diverse Student STEM Societies
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
The American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) is a national, nonprofit organization which nurtures the building of community by bridging science and technology with traditional Native values. Through its educational programs, AISES provides opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives to pursue studies in science, engineering, and technology arenas. The trained professionals then become technologically informed leaders within the Indian community. AISES' ultimate goal is to be a catalyst for the advancement of American Indians and Native Alaskans as they seek to become self-reliant and self-determined members of society.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
SACNAS’s goal is to advance the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in securing advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM fields. It comprises 150 chapters nationwide and interested members may even submit an application to start their own chapter. Members have gone on to leadership positions in prominent science organizations, such as Dr. Luis Echegoyen who was recently named president-elect of American Chemical Society.
Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE)
SASE is dedicated to the advancement of Asian heritage scientists and engineers in education and employment so that they can achieve their full career potential. In addition to professional development, SASE also encourages members to contribute to the enhancement of the communities in which they live. Our mission is to: prepare asian heritage scientists and engineers for success in the global business world, celebrate diversity on campuses and in the workplace, and provide opportunities for members to make contributions to their local communities.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
SHPE supports STEM awareness, action, support, and professional development for Hispanic children, undergraduate and graduate students, and academic and industry professionals. The organization’s mission, per its website, is “A world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians and engineers.” SHPE’s career center serves more than 36,000 members and is associated with 178 student and 54 professional chapters. SHPE offers generous scholarships.
Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (Latinos in Science and Engineering)
Founded in Los Angeles in 1974, MAES is a nonprofit organization that seeks to bolster the number of Mexican Americans and other Hispanics in technical and scientific fields. It recognizes the importance of these fields for economic advancement and workforce development and MAES’s inclusive career center job board benefits both jobseekers and employers. Scholarships, honors recognition, mentorship opportunities, and STEM enrichment programs for kids are also available and MAES’s leadership team is volunteer-based, ensuring young people won’t feel intimidated to ask for guidance.
We gratefully acknowledge the Institute of Cognitive Science's IDEC group for these resources.