Harvey Mudd’s Summer Institute Named an Inspiring Program

Harvey Mudd College received the 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity for its Summer Institute program.

The College’s Summer Institute program helps incoming STEM students with the college transition process in order to increase their academic and personal success. Each Summer Institute scholar is paired with a mentor-and-mentee group that offers peer support throughout the first year and beyond. Students also participate in workshops, take part in academic and professional development activities and engage in co-curricular activities. Throughout the program and into the academic year, the scholars have the chance to acquire cross-cultural competencies and develop their allyship, community building and leadership skills. Many campus leaders at HMC are former institute students, and virtually all past participants describe the experience as pivotal in their successful transition to college.

The honor from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education, recognizes the effort that colleges, universities and outside organizations have undertaken to empower underrepresented and women students of all levels to succeed in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. From hands-on learning activities to mentorship and community support, HMC’s Summer Institute is among the programs that has has developed visionary strategies to introduce diverse individuals to academic, extracurricular and professional opportunities in STEM. The 79 recipients of the 2021 award have allocated the resources, support and staff needed to create robust programming and show results that prove they make a difference in the lives of students, employees or community members.

Award winners play a role in diversifying some of the nation’s fastest growing and most in-demand career fields. They share the common purpose of encouraging anyone traditionally underrepresented in STEM to expand their knowledge and pursue their dreams.

The Harvey Mudd Summer Institute was featured, along with other Inspiring Programs in STEM recipients, in the September 2021 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine (page 70).