survey - supporting diverse students in the current climate

[Sandra Laursen]

Some of you may have Things to Say about this topic!

- Sandra Laursen

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jaclyn Rivard 

Subject: Supporting Diverse Students in the Current Climate

Date: February 11, 2026 at 8:12:44 AM MST

To: STEM-ED...@LISTSERV.APLU.ORG

Reply-To: Jaclyn Rivard <Jaclyn...@USM.EDU>

[External email - use caution]

Dear STEM Ed Community,

As leaders of STEM education centers dedicated to broadening participation and improving the undergraduate experience for all students, your networks are uniquely positioned to help document this critical moment in our field.

We invite you to share an important research opportunity with the faculty you serve. A collaborative team at the University of Southern Mississippi and other institutions is conducting a national study examining how faculty members are navigating recent policy changes while continuing to support diverse student populations. This anonymous, IRB-approved survey (Protocol 25-0639) takes approximately 20–30 minutes and explores:

• How pedagogical practices and curriculum design have evolved
• Strategies faculty use to support diverse and vulnerable students
• Changes in institutional climate and available resources
• Faculty perspectives on continuing this work
• 
  

Interested participants may also sign up for a follow-up interview.

→ Access the faculty survey here: https://usmep.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86XKq4SoMDwHPgy  

We are also surveying student affairs administrators with a separate survey; if you or anyone in your network fill those roles, that survey can be accessed here: https://usmep.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEEPnWioCg0iVnM?Q_CHL=qr

Surveys close March 31, 2026.

 

We need your help spreading the word.

We are using snowball sampling to capture as many faculty voices as possible across disciplines and institution types. Please forward this message to faculty through your center's networks—faculty learning communities, professional development programs, workshop participants, and departmental contacts.

We would also welcome connections with organizations and networks in your orbit. If your center partners with groups that would benefit from a tailored invitation, we are happy to provide customized outreach text or connect directly with those organizations. Please reach out to Jacci Rivard at jaclyn...@usm.edu for more information.

Thank you for the essential role STEM education centers play in supporting faculty and students alike.

Kind regards, 

Jacci Rivard & Kaity Prieto, The University of Southern Mississippi

 

Jacci Rivard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Higher Education Administration
School of Education | College of Education and Human Sciences
The University of Southern Mississippi