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Diversity is essential
to delivering excellence
in science, engineering,
and technology.
The Optical Society's
committed to fostering
a diverse and inclusive
scientific workforce drawing
from the widest range of
backgrounds, perspectives,
and experiences to maximize
innovation and creativity.
The OSA Diversity and
Inclusion Advocacy Recognition
acknowledges the outstanding
dedication and accomplishments
of OSA members, companies,
and organizations
that foster greater
appreciation, advancement,
and celebration of
diversity and inclusively
in optics and photonics.
From the University
of Dayton, Jay Mathews
works with minority-serving
institutions
to provide a summer research
experience for undergraduates.
And his commitment to
mentoring women, Latinx's,
African-Americans, and
members of the LGBTQ community
embodies the goals
of this recognition.
As his nominator,
Josh Burrow stated--
"I was motivated to nominate Jay
for the Diversity and Inclusion
Advocacy Recognition
because he genuinely
cares about increasing
diversity in optics.
He's established himself
as a civil servant
and we need more
leaders like Jay."
Jay Mathews offers this
encouragement to others.
My advice to colleagues
interested in creating
similar programs is to not
let the fact that this is
difficult to do get you down.
Move forward with it, try.
You can get people behind this.
There's money out there.
Make it happen.
The committee also recognizes
the work of the NIST Steering
Group on equity in career
advancement for evaluating
and implementing change to
impact hiring and promotion
practices, unconscious
or implicit biases,
and cumulative
impact of disparities
over the course
of a NIST career.
In recognizing the
value of diversity,
director of NIST
Boulder Laboratory,
Marla Dowell stated--
"I think the long-term
metrics of success
are going to be a more engaged
workforce with higher job
satisfaction and
higher quality staff
because making
NIST more equitable
makes it better for everybody."
Jeremy Lawson, deputy director,
NIST Civil Rights and Diversity
Office offers this advice--
One thing I think other
agencies could learn from this
is to start from a
source of strength
with your core capabilities.
And for NIST, that's
measurement and collaboration.
But also, don't be afraid to
take risks and put yourself out
there to try something new.
It's a serious problem
worthy of the risk taking.
We're excited about what
we've accomplished so far.
And we really appreciate
the recognition from OSA.
We understand that we really
are at the beginning of a longer
journey.
And another NIST core
value is perseverance.
And we plan on persevering with
this project for a long time.
Please join us in congratulating
this year's recipients
of the OSA Diversity and
Inclusion Recognition
for their efforts to ensure a
diverse and inclusive optics
and photonics community.
Their impact and dedication
serve as an inspiration
to all of us.
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