As part of the Inclusive Excellence projects, the HHMI has organized Peer Institution Clusters (PICs). UC Merced is partnered with California State University –Los Angeles, California State University –San Marcos, and Oregon State University. Our PIC institutions were awarded HHMI IE grants in the same cohort. We meet on a monthly basis via Zoom and organize an annual meeting at one of our institutions. Our interactions with the PIC have been helpful to identify synergies with other PIC members for support and collaboration. We have also discussed “theories of change”. The process of feedback giving and accepting in the PIC is valued and provides avenue for other possibilities. PIC is a great avenue to ask questions; to think and define our goals; aplace for safe talking about “how to bust up the system”; and a sounding board outside of our institutional realm. Importantly, PIC has provided an opportunity to be vulnerable; to be able to ask questions without judgment and share our plans. PIC also provides a larger network of colleagues going through the process at the same stage of the project. It allows for genuine learning from each other.Events and Activities:
•Monthly check-in meetings via Zoom
•Annual all-PIC meetings
•Assessment of our project’s progress
•Reading and discussion new STEM education literature
•Invited seminars from guest speakers on inclusive teaching
•Participation in national conferences related to STEM education reform
